Haitians Denied Temporary Immigration Protection

The Bush Administration has denied temporary protected status to Haitians already living in the United States illegally while the nation recovers from tropical storms. The request for temporary protected status came from Haitian President René Préval to allow tens of thousands of Haitians already in the United State illegally to stay until the island recovers.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff denied the request last month. In a letter to the Haitian president, Chertoff pointed to humanitarian aid provided by the U.S. Coast Guard and delayed deportations to help the nation recover.

In 1990, Congress approved temporary protected status for nations going through civil war or recovering from natural disasters. Haiti suffered four storms this past summer, killing hundreds and destroying an estimated 25 percent of their GDP.

In addition to citing the humanitarian aid given by the United States, Secretary Chertoff also made note of immigration-related steps that Haitian nationals can take to remain in the U.S. while Haiti recovers.

More information can be found on this story at the Boston Herald and the Miami Herald.