Nelson urges Homeland security to meet with Haitian leaders
Senator Bill Nelson has issued an appeal to the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Elaine Duke, urging her to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 60,000 Haitians living in the United States.
“Given Haiti’s continued recovery from the 2010 earthquake and last fall’s Category 4 hurricane, I strongly urge you to grant a full 18-month extension of the Temporary Protected States,” said Nelson, who is a Democrat.
“Hurricane Matthew has significantly set back Haiti’s ongoing recovery efforts. As you consider this request to extend TPS beyond its current expiration date of January 22, I encourage you to visit Haiti to assess the conditions on the ground there for yourself. I also encourage you to meet with Haitian leaders in Florida to discuss the importance of extending protections for those already living here,” he wrote.
Earlier this year, John F. Kelly, the then Secretary of Homeland Security announced his decision to extend—for an additional six months, the TPS designation for Haiti.
This is not the first time the Florida Democrat has weighed in on the issue. Nelson sent a similar letter to Kelly in May calling for a full, 18-month extension.
Nelson argues the U.S. should be focused on helping the nation recover from two devastating natural disasters, instead of sending people home to a country that can’t support them.
