Local elected officials, community leaders and immigration advocates last week urged the federal government to extend the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. It is set to expire on July 22, 2011.
On Thursday, April 12, City Council members s, community leaders and immigration advocates, launched a petition at a news conference in Brooklyn, following the adoption of Resolution 648, which was voted on with overwhelming approval at the March 23 meeting.
Resolution 648 calls upon the federal government to extend the designation of TPS for Haiti due to the ongoing challenges the country faces.
In March 2011, the Council adopted Resolution 648, calling on the federal government to extend TPS to Haiti.
“While the country recovers and rebuilds, it is imperative that the federal government extend TPS to allow Haitians who cannot return home an opportunity to stay in the United States,” Eugene said.
A host of community organizations joined in sponsorship of the resolution, including: New York Immigration Coalition, 1199 SEIU United Health Care Workers East, DC37, Legal Aid Society, Haitian Solidarity, Haitian American Democratic Club, Erasmus Neighborhood Federation, Brooklyn Congregations United, Diaspora Community Services, Haitian Centers Council, Brooklyn Defender Services, Haitian Americans United For Progress, Jewish Community Relations Council, UJA Federation of New York, Council of Peoples Organization, African Services Committee, Women Beyond Survival, Veterans For Peace Chapter 34 of New York City and the Sojourners Detention Center Visitor Program.
