Cardinal George urges Obama to grant Haiti Temporary Protected Status

March 20, 2009

Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has asked President Barack Obama on March 19 to designate Haiti as a nation with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This status, Cardinal George notes, “permits nationals of a designated nation living in the United States to reside here legally and qualify for work authorization. A designation of TPS is based upon a determination that armed conflict, political unrest, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions exist in a nation and that the return of that country’s nationals would further destabilize the nation and potentially bring harm to those returned.” “Haiti meets the standard for TPS,” Cardinal George continues,

because it has experienced political tumult, four natural disasters, and severe food shortages in the last year, not to mention the devastation of Hurricane Jeanne in 2004. In April 2008, starving citizens took to the streets to protest rising food prices, causing political instability. In August and September 2008, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna passed through Haiti, causing severe damage and the death of close to 700 persons. Massive flooding from the storms has destroyed homes, crops, roads, and bridges, and largely rendered areas like Gonaives inaccessible to relief workers. Over 90 percent of Haiti has been impacted. Tens of thousands have been displaced, and the fate of thousands more is unknown. More than 300,000 children have been affected.

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Further information:

• Statement of Francis Cardinal George, OMI, on Haiti for Temporary Status
• USCCB President Urges President Obama to Designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (USCCB)