“If there were two options to either die or send me back to Haiti, I prefer to die. Because of the situation that our country is under,” said Jason, a Haitian migrant speaking to a Mexican immigration officer.
Biden Administration Extends Relief for Haitian Immigrants After Backlash Over Deportations
Over the previous weekend, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it would be granting more than 100,000 Haitians in the United States Temporary Protected Status, otherwise known as provisional humanitarian immigration protection, or TPS, BuzzFeed News reported two weeks ago. The updated status would allow those eligible to obtain work permits and be safe from deportation.
Only Haitians or persons without nationality who last resided in Haiti who were in the U.S. as of May 21, 2021, are allowed to apply for the 18-month extension, leaving out those who arrived after the set date. Homeland Security cautioned thar anyone attempting to travel to the U.S. following the May 22 announcement could face deportation. The media outlet reported that the influx of applicants would be added to the already over 50,000 Haitians who have applied for the program.