The United States government is being asked to extend and redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status in light of the CARICOM country's deteriorating security, governance, and humanitarian crises.
In a letter addressed to President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the Haitian Bridge Alliance wrote that armed groups, many controlled by members of the Haitian government, are terrorising Haiti's capital with kidnappings and other violent crimes, which have spilled into cities across the country.
In the letter, signed by 422 immigration, human rights, faith-based, and civil rights organisations, Washington is reminded that Haiti has experienced a nationwide lockdown for several weeks by armed groups.
The lobby groups said since June 2021, more than 50,000 people have been displaced and forced to leave their homes due to violence.
They say the current Temporary Protected Status for Haiti will expire on February 3 next year and by statute, the Secretary of Homeland Security must decide by December 5 this year, if conditions meet requirements that prevent safe return of Haitian nationals.
