Summary
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami has called on Congress to provide a permanent solution for Haitian refugees in the United States. On February 2, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants who were granted TPS protection due to ongoing safety concerns in Haiti. Wenski noted that Florida has the largest Haitian population in the country and that ending TPS could affect up to 300,000 Haitians across the United States. He emphasized that while relief was provided after the judge’s decision, a permanent solution is still needed as appeals by the administration may lead to TPS being revoked again quickly. Wenski urged Congress to provide such a solution due to the perilous conditions in Haiti, where gangs control the capital city and schools are closed because of gang activities. Health care is also limited with hospitals often closed, and there is no rule of law as doctors flee the country.
Key Topics
Haitian refugees, TPS, Congress
