EXTENSION OF TPS FOR HAITIANS
“In the extended aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in Haiti, the United States has remained fully committed to upholding our responsibility to assist individuals affected by this tragedy by using tools available under the law,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Providing a temporary refuge for Haitian nationals who are currently in the United States and whose personal safety would be endangered by returning to Haiti is part of this administration’s continuing efforts to support Haiti’s recovery.”
Secretary Napolitano’s action will extend TPS for eligible Haitian beneficiaries for 18 months to allow these TPS beneficiaries to remain in the United States through Jan. 22, 2013.
REDESIGNATION OF TPS
In addition, Secretary Napolitano is re-designating Haiti for TPS — meaning that eligible Haitian nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since Jan. 12, 2011, will also be able to obtain TPS through Jan. 22, 2013. Under the original designation,
TPS applicants needed to show that they had continuously resided in the United States since Jan. 12, 2010, but the re-designation now permits eligible individuals who arrived up to one year after the earthquake in Haiti to receive the protection of TPS. Many of these individuals were authorized to enter the United States immediately after the earthquake on temporary visas, humanitarian parole and through other immigration measures.
This re-designation of TPS applies only to those Haitians who have continuously resided in the United States since Jan. 12, 2011.
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees 