John,

It’s been over three weeks since Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas, and the situation on the ground remains dire for too many people.

The northwest islands in particular lie in ruins. Over 70,000 people are now homeless and living in shelters, tents, and even ships¹. Many of the areas hit hardest by the storm have lost vital infrastructure like power and sanitation systems.

Some Bahamians have been able to find temporary relief in the US. But for many people, the relative safety of the US remains out of reach because of the Trump administration’s draconian immigration policies.

Our neighbors in the Bahamas need access to clean water, power, and other necessities. It’s time for lawmakers to take action — sign here to tell Congress to pass legislation to grant Temporary Protected Status to Bahamians.

The Trump administration’s response to the devastation of Hurricane Dorian has been incredibly cruel. A week after the storm, US Customs and Border Patrol kicked 130 people off a ship bound for Fort Lauderdale because they didn’t have visas².

Trump has also declared that he won’t be granting TPS to survivors of Dorian. This means that those Bahamians who do manage to make it to the US somehow won’t be able to work to support their families, and will face possible deportation once their visa expires. 

With TPS, Bahamians would be able to live in safer conditions, find work, and support their families in the U.S. while the Bahamas begins to rebuild. Fortunately, Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-NY-9), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), and Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) introduced the TPS for Victims of Hurricane Dorian Act.

With about 14,000 Bahamians likely to benefit if granted TPS, we must demand that Congress pass this important legislation now. Don’t wait — sign here to tell Congress to pass the TPS for Victims of Hurricane Dorian Act now. 

Island nations in the Caribbean are among the least responsible in the world for the climate crisis, but are disproportionately affected by storms strengthened by climate change. As one of the largest polluters on earth, the US has a duty to support nations and communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis — and that includes offering haven to people displaced by climate disasters.

In solidarity,

Ju-Hyun

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1 - ’Opening the Door to Hell Itself’:  Bahamas Confronts Life After Hurricane Dorian, The Wall Street Journal

2 - At least 100 Hurricane Dorian evacuees booted from boat headed to U.S. over lack of visa, Daily Kos

 

 

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