Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Nationals Entering the United States Between January 13, 2010 and December 31, 2010 and Suspension of Removal of Haitian Nationals
Adopted at the in 2011
WHEREAS, Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and has long suffered political instability, financial difficulties, violence, and natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, on January 12, 2010, Haiti was devastated by an unprecedented 7.0 Richter scale earthquake, which killed at least 250,000 people; left millions homeless or injured; and destroyed major Haitian government facilities; and
WHEREAS, thousands of Haitian nationals were forced to flee their homeland in search of a safe environment; and
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2010, President Obama stated that the disaster in Haiti "is one of those moments that call out for American's leadership;" and
WHEREAS, Temporary Protective Status (TPS) suspends the removal of undocumented Haitians already in the United States and allows the granting of work permits effective for up to 19 months; and
WHEREAS, there are approximately 55,000 Haitian nationals who came to the United States between January 13, 2010 and December 31, 2010; and
WHEREAS, TPS for Haitian nationals who entered the United States during the year subsequent to the January 12, 2010 earthquake may prevent massive migration by allowing working Haitians to remain in this country so they may continue to support relatives in Haiti; and
WHEREAS, the Haitian government continues to work towards recovery from the earthquake and remediate exceptionally difficult living conditions that this disaster has caused, yet the people of Haiti continue to suffer under these conditions; and
WHEREAS, Temporary Protective Status has been afforded to nationals from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua after natural disasters, and conditions in Haiti meet statutory requirements necessary for the designation of Temporary Protective Status; and
WHEREAS, a denial of Temporary Protective Status and removal of Haitian nationals who entered the United States subsequent to January 12, 2010 but before December 31, 2010, would force them to return to a severely depressed region which has suffered devastation of its infrastructure and essential public services; and
WHEREAS, requiring individuals to return and live under these conditions amounts to inhumane treatment and is inconsistent with our values as a country; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the granting of TPS to Haitian nationals who entered the United States subsequent to the January 12, 2010 earthquake until December 31, 2010 and the suspension of the removal of undocumented Haitian nationals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the granting of Temporary Protective Status to those Haitian nationals who fled Haiti after the January 12, 2010 earthquake up until December 31, 2010 and sought safety in the United States.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the US Conference of Mayors calls upon the Secretary of Homeland Security, with whom such authority lies, to designate Haitian nationals who entered the United States between January 13, 2010 and December 31, 2010 as eligible for Temporary Protective Status; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on President Obama, the United States Congress, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to promptly suspend the removal of all Haitian nationals.