WASHINGTON D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA -- The Obama administration announced on Friday that it’s granting temporary immigration status to illegal Haitians living in the United States.
"This is a disaster of historic proportions and this designation will allow eligible Haitian nationals in the United States to continue living and working in our country for the next 18 months,” Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, said. "As part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to assist Haiti following Tuesday’s devastating earthquake, I am announcing the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of January 12, 2010." Napolitano said.
The new rules apply for only 18 months and will allow up to 200,000 Haitians to work and send remittances back home. However, the Obama administration says it will deport those who arrived in the U.S. after January 12.
The U.S. government has expressed concern about a possible migration wave from Haiti, but Secretary Napolitano said officials were seeing no signs of attempted migration at this time.
"We are not seeing any sign of that right now." Napolitano said.
The US Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection have been monitoring this, but said at this time the focus is on rescue and recovery.
