Last night, the Department of Homeland Security made the deeply disturbing decision to end TPS for Haitians, following the recent TPS terminations for Sudan and Nicaragua. A 2010 earthquake devastated Haiti, and since then subsequent natural disasters have marred Haiti’s recovery. Public health crises such as the cholera epidemic, in addition to food and housing insecurity continue to plague the country. Moreover, the destruction of agricultural crops and livestock, and the displacement of tens of thousands of people who remain in camps have impaired Haiti’s ability to rebuild.
This heartless decision by the administration turns our backs on the vulnerable Haitians whom we pledged to protect. Ending TPS is devastating to tens of thousands of families in the United States, including the 27,000 U.S. citizen children with a Haitian TPS holder parent. TPS was created to provide protection to those in the United States when it is unsafe for their return home – precisely the conditions Haiti still faces. Failure to re-instate TPS for Haiti or pass a permanent legislative solution for all TPS holders would be an affront to our American values of hospitality, generosity, and compassion.
Sample Tweets:
- [@legislator] Without the 46,700 Haitian TPS workers, the US will lose $23.2 billion in GDP over the next decade. Congress must #SaveTPS
- [@legislator] TPS Holders are legal immigrants, vetted by the government, who contribute to our communities and economies. #SaveTPS
- [@legislator] 27,000 US Citizens are the children of Haitian TPS holders. This decision will tear families apart. #SaveTPS
- [@legislator] Ending TPS will cost the United States close to $164 billion in GDP over the next decade. #SaveTPS
- [@legislator] The decision to end Haitian TPS is yet another way this administration is attacking immigrant families. #SaveTPS
Sample Facebook Post:
“I’m your constituent from [CITY/TOWN], and I support Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, and strongly oppose the decision made by President Trump and DHS. I urge you to do everything in your power to see that the administration reinstates the Haiti designation. I call on you to oppose a decision that would forcibly return close to 60,000 contributing members of our community and economy to a country that is still in a state of devastation.”
Sample Phone Script:
“I’m your constituent from [CITY/TOWN], and I support Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, and strongly oppose the administration’s decision to terminate it. I urge you to do everything in your power to see that the administration reinstates Haiti’s TPS designation and extends it for another 18 months, and to issue statements and make floor remarks supporting Haitian TPS holders. I call on you to demonstrate bold leadership and support a permanent, legislative solution that protects all TPS holders from being separated from their families. My community welcomes immigrants, and I urge you to reflect the best of our American values of compassion and welcome.”