Last year. during the 109th Congress. I wrote to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the unfair treatment of Haitian nationals by current U.S. Immigration policies. In response to my letter. DHS stated that before they could make a decision to grant TPS to Haiti. they had to determine whether there was "(1) an ongoing armed conflict within the foreign state posing a serious threat to the personal safety of the countrys nationals if retumed there. (2) an environmental disaster. such as an earthquake. flood. drought. or epidemic in the state. or (3) extraordinary and temporary conditions in the foreign state that prevent nationals from returning safely." After assessing the aforementioned factors as they apply to Haiti. DHS has taken the following stance: "Decisions on these requests will be made on a casebycase basis based on the specific circumstances involved when requested." Madam Speaker. Haitis recent political. civil. and governmental crises. as well as the extraordinary and temporary conditions caused by several natural disasters. easily make Haitian nationals currently in the United States eligible for TPS. Any major storm that hits Florida almost always crashes through Haiti first. taking lives and leaving cities already impoverished from the previous years storms. further devastated. Throughout Haiti. vast deforestation leaves the country extremely vulnerable to mudslides from heavy rains.
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TPS Immigration