FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2021
CONTACT INFORMATION
James C. Woo
404.585.8446 x 104
jwoo@advancingjustice-atlanta.org
Atlanta, GA — Today, the Georgia Immigrant Rights Alliance (GIRA) commends the Biden administration for its decision to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Haiti for eighteen months. TPS provides protection from deportation and permission to work for eligible nationals of countries that have been designated temporarily too dangerous for return. More than 100,000 Haitians living in the United States potentially stand to benefit from the redesignation.
Throughout the previous presidency, the administration attempted to dismantle TPS protections for all designated countries, including Haiti, despite the severe country conditions that continue to make returning unsafe. Considering the country’s widespread violence, political and civil unrest, economic concerns, humanitarian strife, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and the lack of available vaccines, it was necessary for Haiti’s TPS status to be redesignated. The Biden administration has made the just and fact-based decision to continue protections for Haitian nationals living in the United States.
Haiti was one of the countries affected by the ongoing Ramos litigation. The Ramos case challenged the previous administration’s attempts to dismantle TPS and prevented Haiti’s previous TPS designation from being terminated. The Biden administration’s decision to redesignate Haiti represents its promise to review country conditions in the Ramos countries.
LaVita Tuff, Policy Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta stated: “While we commend the Biden administration and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for reinstating TPS for Haiti, we urge the Biden administration to continue to rebuild our immigration system so that it can welcome all who seek safety and refuge. Redesignating TPS for Haiti is just one step forward to ensuring racial and immigrant justice within our immigration system.”
Maria Palacios, Executive Director, GA Familias Unidas stated: “As an advocate for the immigrant community at large, I strongly reiterate my continued support for Haiti and all other recipients and potential recipients of temporary protection, such as Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). For too long the lives of Haiti community members and others have remained tethered to the ever changing politics surrounding immigration rather than common sense policies that provide stability and keep families together. It is time for a more permanent solution for all those with temporary status, and we at GA Familias Unidas will continue to advocate for smart and humane immigration policy in the years to come.”
Glory Kilanko, Founder and CEO, Women Watch Afrika stated: “During an unprecedented global pandemic, it is more important than ever that everyone stands in solidarity with immigrant communities in the United States. We commend Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the Biden administration for honoring their pledge to reinstate TPS for Haiti, prioritizing humane and pragmatic solutions for immigrant communities, and we hope to see more of the same in the future.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is the first nonprofit legal advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities in Georgia and the Southeast. For more information about Advancing Justice-Atlanta, visit https://advancingjustice-atlanta.org.
The Georgia Immigrant Rights Alliance (GIRA) is a statewide policy table led by immigrant communities across Georgia. The purpose of this alliance is to safeguard the rights of Georgian immigrants to create a more equal and just Georgia for immigrants, especially in the context of ongoing discriminatory treatment and targeting of these communities.
Members and Allies of GIRA
Asian American Advocacy Fund
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta
GA Familias Unidas
Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)
Georgia Muslim Voter Project
Latino Community Fund Georgia
SPLC Action Fund
Sur Legal Collaborative
U-Lead Athens
Women Watch Afrika
