THE United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged the Trump administration to “do the right thing” for more than 300,000 Haitians who face the termination of their status as legally resident.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a federal humanitarian scheme that allows people from selected countries to reside legally and work in the US if the situation in their home country makes returning to it untenable. Designations last for periods of six, 12, or 18 months, but can be continuously renewed by the Department of Homeland Security.
A statement on 29 January, signed by Bishop Brendan Cahill, who chairs the Conference’s Committee on Migration, says: “There is simply no realistic opportunity for the safe and orderly return of people to Haiti at this time.”
It was also signed by the chair of the conference’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan.
The Bishops renewed their calls for Congress to legislate “viable opportunities for longtime residents with TPS, regardless of nationality, to request durable legal status”. They continued: “The Trump Administration still has the opportunity to do the right thing — to safeguard human life, to uphold the law, and to promote greater stability for people in this country and beyond. We urge the Administration to act accordingly by extending this vital relief for Haitians.”
On Monday, clergy of the Episcopal diocese of Southern Ohio were among hundreds of people who gathered at St John Missionary Baptist Church, Springfield, to support Haitian immigrants, ENS reports. The Haitians’ protected status had been due to end that night, but, earlier that day, a federal judge had temporarily blocked its termination.
The early-morning gathering was led by the diocesan Bishop, the Rt Revd Kristin Uffelman White, who told the ENS: “All the seats were full, and people kept coming in to support their Haitian neighbors. It was extraordinary to witness.”
The Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield, the Revd Michelle Boomgaard, said: “I’m still holding my breath and waiting to see what the coming days are going to bring. . . How long will it take until the government finds a judge that’s willing to accept whatever argument they offer, and TPS ends anyway? There’s too much unknown at this time.”