January 15, 2010 (5:00pm EST) - Statement By Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
“As
part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to assist Haiti following
Tuesday’s devastating earthquake, I am announcing the designation of
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals who were in the
United States as of January 12, 2010. This is a disaster of historic
proportions and this designation will allow eligible Haitian nationals
in the United States to continue living and working in our country for
the next 18 months. Providing a temporary refuge for Haitian nationals
who are currently in the United States and whose personal safety would
be endangered by returning to Haiti is part of this Administration’s
continuing efforts to support Haiti’s recovery.
“At this moment
of tragedy in Haiti it is tempting for people suffering in the
aftermath of the earthquake to seek refuge elsewhere. But attempting to
leave Haiti now will only bring more hardship to the Haitian people and
nation. The international community has rallied to deliver relief to
Haiti. Much has already arrived and much more is on its way. The
Haitians are resilient and determined and their role in addressing this
crisis in their homeland will be essential to Haiti’s future.
“It
is important to note that TPS will apply only to those individuals who
were in the United States as of January 12, 2010. Those who attempt to
travel to the United States after January 12, 2010 will not be eligible
for TPS and will be repatriated.
“The Department of Homeland
Security continues to extend sympathy to our Haitian neighbors and
support the worldwide relief effort underway in every way we can. Four
Coast Guard cutters have arrived in Haiti, in addition to a variety of
Coast Guard assets that were already in the area to support military
air traffic control, conduct damage assessments and rescue people in
need of assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
continues to work closely with the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) and the State Department—the lead U.S. federal
agencies in the response—while coordinating the deployment of state and
local Urban Search and Rescue Teams from across the country to Haiti
and standing by to provide food, water and other resources as
requested. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has provided
aircraft to support response efforts.
Haitians in the U.S. who are eligible to apply for TPS should call USCIS toll-free at (800) 375-5283.”