-NY senator, FL pols call for TPS extension to Haitian illegally present immigrants

-U.S. officials prepare for potential wave of Haitians

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NY senator, FL pols call for TPS extension to Haitians 

Politico reports that soon after the deadly earthquake experienced in Haiti, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand petitioned President Barack Obama to grant temporary protected status to Haitians living in United States.  The junior Senator is urging President Obama to respond quickly by at least preventing Haitian citizens already in the United States from being deported to a ravaged country.

This call to domestic action is supported by previous responses by the United States government in the wake of other natural disasters in the Americas. In 1999, Honduran and Nicaraguan nationals were granted Temporary Protected Status in response to the devastating Hurricane Mitch, while in 2001 El Salvadorian citizens were granted the same status following several deadly earthquakes.  

Senator Gillibrand also argues that the halt in Haitian deportation would allow Haitians in the US to earn money to send back home to help rebuild their country.

 http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31451.html

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US officials preparing for potential wave of Haitian immigration

Fox News is reporting that the Department of Homeland Security is preparing in case that there is a mass exodus from Haiti to the United States following this month’s deadly earthquake. Although the U.S Coast Guard has not reported any people fleeing to the United States since the earthquake, the Department of Homeland Security is evaluating options to respond to a large emigration wave from Haiti.

In recent decades, a large number of Haitians have tried to flee the country’s poverty and political unrest. However, the boats of those trying to enter the United States illegally are intercepted. In the past, Haitian refugee claimants have been taken to the U.S base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to be processed. In Cuba they were pre-screened for refugee status in the United States. In recent years only a fraction of those intercepted at sea have been granted refugee status. 

One of the options being heavily studied by Homeland Security involves the Migrant Operation Center at Guantanamo Bay. The Center could serve as a half-way point to screen those Haitians seeking asylum. The Center can be expanded to accommodate as many as 400 people at a time. However, this option will not be used unless a mass exodus occurs.

Aside from preparing for hypothetical situation, the United States government is putting most of its efforts in providing aid and relief to Haiti in the hope that improving the situation in Haiti so fewer people will feel compelled to leave.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/14/preparing-potential-new-wave-haitians-fleeing-north/

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