Archbishop Wenski Expresses Gratitude for Governor's Support of TPS for Haitians

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for another six months for thousands of Haitians who fled to the United States after their country was ravaged by an earthquake in 2010. TPS allows these displaced individuals to temporarily remain in the U.S. and legally work to support themselves while Haiti is being rebuilt.

The issue is important in Florida, which is the state with the largest Haitian immigrant population in the U.S. and where many of the estimated 58,000 Haitians who are under the temporary protections live. Earlier this month, Governor Rick Scott met with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to urge the federal agency to extend the temporary protections for Haitians. In a May 24 letter to Governor Scott, Archbishop Wenski offered his gratitude to the governor for his intervention on behalf of Haitian families in the U.S. who remain in an insecure and vulnerable position and expressed hope for a longer-term solution.

While the extension of protective status until January 22, 2018 is welcomed, continued engagement and humanitarian assistance to improve conditions on the island is urged. Haiti is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Matthew, which struck in October 2016, and is plagued with a severe cholera epidemic and food shortages.

"Haitians who are recipients of TPS contribute to our communities and assist in facilitating economic recovery and development in Haiti by sending money to their families," said Archbishop Wenski. "Returning these individuals to a country in six months that remains vulnerable to future disasters and where millions continue to be in need of aid is not a sufficiently humanitarian response."