Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marleine Bastien and activists in South Florida are alarmed by the Trump administration’s move to end Temporary Protected Status for over 520,700 Haitians, putting them at risk of deportation. The TPS termination, effective August 3, contradicts previous extensions granted by the Biden administration. Leaders argue that returning Haitians to a violent and unstable Haiti is unjust and poses significant humanitarian risks.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marleine Bastien and local activists gathered in South Florida to express their concerns regarding impending changes in immigration status for Haitians. The Trump administration’s announcement indicates that over 520,700 Haitians in the U.S. will be at risk of deportation in just over five months due to the expiration of their Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
“I am deeply disheartened and outraged,” stated Bastien at a press conference organized by the Family Action Network Movement, which she founded. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that TPS for Haitians will end on August 3, reversing a decision made under President Biden that extended their status until February 3, 2026.
Florida State Senator Shervin Jones emphasized the humanity of the affected individuals, noting their contributions to the U.S. and Florida communities. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava voiced her concern on social media, indicating that the decision jeopardizes the welfare of thousands of families.
The United Nations previously advised against the forcible return of anyone to Haiti, including individuals whose asylum claims were denied. The U.S. has offered TPS for Haitians since the devastating earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010.
Haiti continues to struggle with political instability, gang violence, and humanitarian crises since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and a transitional council have failed to restore order and safety, further complicating the situation for returning Haitians.
Rep. Frederica Wilson condemned the decision to deport over 500,000 Haitians, referring to it as fundamentally wrong, especially in light of conditions in Haiti. A similar predicament also looms for approximately 600,000 Venezuelans, with TPS set to expire on April 7.
This pressing immigration issue underscores the challenges faced by vulnerable populations amid ongoing political turmoil, violence, and humanitarian crises in their home countries that affects their ability to safely return.
The imminent termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians poses severe risks of deportation for over 520,000 individuals amidst ongoing instability and violence in Haiti. Activists and local leaders are advocating against this decision, emphasizing the contributions of Haitians to U.S. communities and the humanitarian implications of forced returns to a crisis-stricken country.
Original Source: www.local10.com
