Kerry calls for temporay protected status for Haitians living in the US

[karynnj]

In the wake of Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Haiti, Senators John Kerry and Paul Kirk, together with 13 of their colleagues, today sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals currently living in the U.S.

TPS is often granted to nationals of a country who are temporarily unable to safely return to their homeland because of armed conflict or a natural disaster. Deporting Haitians at this time would inhibit the Haitian government's ability to recover from the earthquake and worsen an already dire humanitarian situation.

"The people of Haiti are in a desperate situation after deadly hurricanes just 18 months ago and now a massive earthquake. Our assistance must be generous and sustained and we should also protect the Haitian nationals peacefully living and working in the United States. They should not be forced to return to a ravaged homeland where their basic human needs cannot be met. Along with my senate colleagues, I am pushing for Temporary Protected Status just like we have for others facing similar crises - it is the only fair thing to do," said Senator Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"I'm deeply saddened by the devastation that has occurred in Haiti. Like many of my colleagues, I know that now is not the time to send Haitians back to their country. Their country has been devastated, and I believe that the President should grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitians who are currently in the United States. Haiti meets the criteria for this status, and this is the first of many ways we can help the Haitian people in the days and months ahead," said Senator Paul Kirk.

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