Durbin Applauds Biden Administration Decision To Extend & Redesignate TPS To Haiti Due To Extreme Instability

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement applauding the Biden Administration’s decision to extend and redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from August 4, 2024, to February 3, 2026, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti:

“Today’s welcome announcement by the Biden Administration reaffirms American support for the Haitian people.  It’s the kind of commonsense move leaders take to demonstrate global leadership and compassion—a move I’m glad President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas are making today.

“The conditions in Haiti are extremely unstable—as several regions continue to face violence or insecurity, and many have limited access to health care, food, and water.  A new designation not only provides protection from deportation, but is also a measure of American decency and solidarity with those who would face chaos and violence if forced to return to Haiti.  Critically, TPS will allow Haitians in the U.S. to support themselves by working, which will provide much-needed relief to them and their families.”

This welcome news comes after Durbin joined Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) in a letter urging the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, and Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to immediately redesignate TPS for Haiti.

Established by the U.S. Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS is a temporary, renewable program that provides relief from deportation and the opportunity to apply for a work permit for eligible foreign nationals from certain countries who are unable to return safely to their home country due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions. 

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