Contact: Victoria Villamil
786-383-7595
March 11, 2021
Family Action Network Movement (FANM) Applauds The Biden Administration’s Decision To Grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans and Strongly Urges Redesignation of TPS For Haitians
MIAMI, FL- On March 8, 2021, the Biden Administration announced it would designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Venezuelans currently residing in the United States. This could allow over 320,000 Venezuelans to remain in the United States with legal standing. Eligible immigrants have 180 days to apply for TPS and must prove they entered the United States before March 8, 2021. Once granted, their TPS status would last for up to 18 months. FANM applauds this decision and stands ready to assist members with the application process.
Haitian immigrants in the U.S. are hoping for a redesignation of TPS for Haiti. TPS was granted to Haiti after Haiti's 2010 earthquake but protected only those otherwise-eligible Haitians in the U.S. by January 12, 2011. It has been ten years since TPS was redesignated for Haiti. A redesignation would benefit Haitians who came to the U.S. after the 2011 date. In recent months, Haitians have been the victims of violent killings, skyrocketing kidnappings, rape/gender-based violence, and heavy repression from state-aligned forces reminiscent of the Duvalier dictatorship. The Biden administration continues to support the Moise administration and since taking office, over 1,000 Haitian refugees/immigrants, including at least 270 children, have been deported on eighteen flights to Haiti since February 2021.
Marleine Bastien, Executive Director of Family Action Network Movement (FANM), stated, "We applaud and commend the Biden Administration's decision to designate TPS for Venezuela. While we are relieved for the Venezuelan community, a TPS redesignation is desperately needed for Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, and others! The extraordinary conditions in Haiti warrant a TPS redesignation that covers Haitians living in the U.S. up to now. The Biden administration has the power to take action and, so far, has not articulated the same support for Haiti. They are fully aware of the harm the Haitian people face and yet continue to deport and expel non-violent/non-criminal immigrants! We urgently call upon the Biden Administration to stop these illegal deportations and to redesignate TPS for Haiti now!"
Family Action Network Movement (FANM) formerly known as Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc)/ Haitian Women of Miami is a private not-for-profit organization dedicated to the social, economic, financial and political empowerment of low to moderate-income families.
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