On Monday the Biden Administration confirmed that it will extend temporary status for Haitians for another 18 months. With this update, the program will now expire on August 3, 2024.
Given the “extraordinary and temporary conditions” that currently exist in Haiti, the U.S. government decided to extend the temporary status for Haitians. The Homeland Security Department extended the temporary status for several countries including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Cameroon and Ukraine.
The Jamaica Observer reported that the decision comes as a way of reversing a Trump-era style disregard for protections for those already in the States. Read on to find out the full story.
Related: Dominican Republic And U.S. Lock Horns Over Haitian Deportations And More
What We Know:
With an increase in attacks by gangs that have become more powerful since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, sees unsafe conditions in the Caribbean island. Beyond this, the outbreak of cholera has taken the lives of many children amid a rise in malnutrition.
“The conditions in Haiti, including socioeconomic challenges, political instability, and gang violence and crime — aggravated by environmental disaster — compelled the humanitarian relief we are providing today,” said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Conditions in Haiti have led many to flee the country for the likes of South America, Mexico and the U.S. The U.S. government deported many Haitians back home after roughly 16,000 predominantly Haitian migrants camped in the small Texas border town of Del Rio in September 2021.
What’s to come:
Mayorkas also announced that “We are already providing much-needed humanitarian aid to Haitian citizens in the United States.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer confirmed that more than 100,000 Haitians will be eligible for temporary status under Monday’s announcement.
Haitians who enter the United States after Monday’s announcement will be ineligible for Temporary Protected Status.
Related: An Inside Perspective On The Crisis In Haiti
