Migrant Protection Status for Haitian Nationals Faces Termination, Raising Concerns
The U.S. government’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals is causing alarm among Christian advocacy groups. The cessation, slated for September 2, will terminate the legal residency and work authorizations for over 500,000 migrants, amidst ongoing insecurity in Haiti.
According to a statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the decision was based on a review of Haiti’s conditions, which purportedly no longer warrant TPS designation. A DHS spokesperson noted, “The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home,” but this view has been met with skepticism.
World Relief, an Evangelical organization involved in refugee resettlement, criticized the termination, highlighting its impact on Haitians who have lawfully resided in the U.S. since the 2010 earthquake and those fleeing from the turmoil following the 2021 assassination of Haiti’s president. World Relief CEO Myal Greene remarked, “Another week, another mass illegalization of families and individuals who have been lawfully and peacefully residing in our country.”
Greene emphasized that many affected individuals have cleared background checks and are employed, aiding their families both in the U.S. and Haiti. Without a new legal status like asylum, they face deportation when TPS expires.
In Springfield, Ohio, home to a burgeoning Haitian community, the announcement has caused significant concern. Vilès Dorsainvil, a Haitian minister and executive director of the Haitian Community Help & Support Center in Springfield, is among those who came to the U.S. to escape gang violence back home. Dorsainvil mentioned the potential move to Canada if forced to leave the U.S., stating, “Many of us coming — it’s not because we were looking for jobs. We were being pushed away by the situations.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has previously commended Haitian workers for their contributions to the local economy, asserting, “The companies tell us that they are very good workers. They’re very happy to have them there, and frankly, that’s helped the economy.”
The Christian Defense Coalition’s Rev. Patrick Mahoney has strongly criticized the administration’s stance on Haiti’s safety, stating on X that returning Haitians would face serious threats. A protest event was held at the U.S. Capitol opposing the TPS revocation, with Alexei Laushkin of the Kingdom Mission Society praising the Haitian community’s hard work and character.
Pascal Bimenyimana of World Relief Haiti also challenged the Department of Homeland Security’s conclusions, underscoring the ongoing dangers in Haiti, as noted by U.S. travel warnings. He warned that deportation would strain an already fragile nation.
Recent legal decisions have facilitated the administration’s actions. The U.S. Supreme Court recently approved ending TPS for several nationalities, including Haitians. Additionally, the scheduled end of TPS for Afghans and the plight of Afghan Christian refugees in North Carolina continue to be pressing issues.
Advocacy efforts persist in seeking alternative legal options and support for those facing deportation, with various faith leaders and organizations continuing to express concern over the humanitarian implications of the policy changes.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
