Hot Topic (1/19): Illegal Haitians granted temporary legal status in U.S.
U.S. to change illegal Haitian immigrants' status
The temporary measure is aimed at increasing remittances to the devastated nation. Officials emphasize that Haitians not in the U.S. are ineligible and will be repatriated if they try to migrate.
Reporting from Miami - In an attempt to ensure the flow of remittances to devastated Haiti, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Friday that the Obama administration would temporarily grant legal status to the tens of thousands of Haitian immigrants who were living in the United States illegally before this week's earthquake.
But Napolitano emphasized that Haitians living in the island nation would not be eligible for temporary protected status, and would be repatriated if they attempted to enter the country, an implicit acknowledgment of the fear, thus far unrealized, that the earthquake could trigger a mass migration of Haitians to U.S. shores.
"At this moment of tragedy in Haiti it is tempting for people suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake to seek refuge elsewhere," Napolitano said in a conference call with reporters. "But attempting to leave Haiti now will only bring more hardship to the Haitian people and nation."
The announcement of the status change came as Miami officials refined their contingency plans to accommodate thousands of Haitian refugees.
Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, warned that Napolitano's new rule, despite its back-dating, would be interpreted by residents of the troubled island nation as an invitation to sail north.
"The rumors are going to fly," Stein said. "What she's doing is dangerous, irresponsible and fraught with peril."
Temporary protected status is granted on occasion to foreign nationals whose home countries are experiencing an armed conflict or natural disaster. In this case, Napolitano said, the special status will last 18 months, and allow undocumented Haitians to get work permits and send much-needed dollars back home.
The United States, Napolitano said, may be home to as many as 200,000 illegal Haitian immigrants.
This week, the administration suspended deportations to Haiti, on the grounds that the country is too wrecked to accommodate repatriated citizens.
Since the earthquake, the demand for the protected status had been taken up by a swelling chorus of advocates, including Haitian American activists, immigrant rights groups and conservative Cuban American lawmakers in Florida, such as Republican U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart.
Many of those pushing for the change of status had been doing so since 2008, when four storms killed nearly 800 Haitians and caused $1 billion in damage.
"I'm elated. It's been a long struggle. A long fight," said Marleine Bastien, executive director of the group Haitian Women of Miami, who had issued a passionate plea to President Obama this week. "I think it will play a major role in assisting and encouraging Haitians to stay and participate in the rebuilding of Haiti. Haitians are very hardworking individuals. We will keep these remittances flowing."
If Haitians do travel to Florida en masse, officials here say they are ready. They are already familiar with the realities of mass migration.
Memories linger here of the 1980 Mariel boatlift, in which more than 100,000 Cubans arrived in Florida after fleeing the Castro regime. Much of the preparation since then has been in anticipation of refugees who might flee Cuba after the death of Fidel Castro or some similar disruption.
In Miami-Dade County this week, officials held numerous meetings to tweak what is officially called the "Change in Caribbean Government Plan" to provide medical aid, screening and temporary housing to large numbers of Haitians.
The county school district has worked up a plan that would include opening three large refugee acceptance centers and converting a district-owned hospital building to a live-in center for as many as 500 refugee children. Separately, the Archdiocese of Miami has proposed establishing a program to bring large numbers of Haitian orphans to the area.
Alberto Carvalho, the county schools superintendent, said the district's plans would be contingent upon millions of dollars in federal reimbursements that have yet to be promised.
"The willingness of the people of Miami to accept those in need is evident," he said. "The cost, however, is a worry."
* * *
Should the United States allow Haitian refugees into the United States?
What do you think about this order granting temporary legal status to up to 200,000 illegal Haitian immigrants?
Any thoughts?
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I think we should go ahead and send them back to lend a hand in the recovery of the people of their own country, since everyone from everywhere is going over for recovery..why not the people that are here from that country illegally. That is just my opinion and I am well aware that people will not agree and I am good with that because I don't agree with others all the time either.
Quoting smcclure2005:
I think we should go ahead and send them back to lend a hand in the recovery of the people of their own country, since everyone from everywhere is going over for recovery..why not the people that are here from that country illegally. That is just my opinion and I am well aware that people will not agree and I am good with that because I don't agree with others all the time either.
yes I agree why should the leave it up to people from other countries to fix up their home when they should be there helping fix it up as well.
I say if they are already here, let them stay. Haiti is in chaos and adding an influx of ppl is stupid. Where exactly are they supposed to go? Food, water and medical supplies are having a difficult time getting in, why add more ppl to the problem.
"Oh come on! Am I talking to myself here? I say they're vegetarian. You say GRR. I say can we talk about this? You say GRR. I don't call that communication." GRRR! "See, that's your answer to everything." --- Sid
When I returned home after Hurricane Ike, water wasn't drinkable, stores were closed and not selling food, no electricity in alot of areas. Yeah send em back to help with the clean up. There were dead bodies to clean up, resistant staff popped up in a week, Galveston didn't even have a hospital open. It is easy to say send them back, but do want to be the one to send a person back to no home, no water or food, dead bodies ect. I for one that has lived in a disaster area after Ike would not want to wish it on anyone. If they are illegal and here, give them a permit, they work and will help support themselves and pay taxes. I would not send them back to such a devestated country under these circumstances.
Quoting robsgurl_23:
Quoting smcclure2005:
I think we should go ahead and send them back to lend a hand in the recovery of the people of their own country, since everyone from everywhere is going over for recovery..why not the people that are here from that country illegally. That is just my opinion and I am well aware that people will not agree and I am good with that because I don't agree with others all the time either.
yes I agree why should the leave it up to people from other countries to fix up their home when they should be there helping fix it up as well.
Exactly!
I just don't understand how its going to work...give 200,000 illegals temporary ability to work here...they work for 18 months, then after 18 months we know where they are because they have been working...we box them up and send them home?
Its taking people I know 18 months to FIND a job in this economy. Do they have jobs waiting for these people?
And, I am sure they are doing something under the table to support themselves and/or send money back already. What is this temporary work permit going to do for them other than expose them? If I were an illegal Haitian, I am not sure I would see a real benefit.
My views on illegal immigration aside...I simply don't understand what this does for anyone involved. Are they going to require that these immigrants send a certain amount of their money back home? I just don't get it.
I don't see how forcing them out of the US at this point will help. I agree with the temporary status.
As to what this man said, it's possible that eventually some in Haiti might attempt another boat-lift type situation, but many federal agencies are set to implement "Operation Vigilant Sentry".
Quote:
Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, warned that Napolitano's new rule, despite its back-dating, would be interpreted by residents of the troubled island nation as an invitation to sail north.
"The rumors are going to fly," Stein said. "What she's doing is dangerous, irresponsible and fraught with peril."
Why can't we just focus on us?! The ones already here?! Did any Haitians hop on a boat come over here & help us after 9/11? Katrina? ANYTHING--EVER???
Why does our government care so much about those who don't care about us? It's a WASTE of money. They wouldn't be over here helping us out, or granting us temporary status because we have an earthquake.
I think our government needs to learn how to say "NO!" they do it to us!
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