Earlier this year, the Biden administration redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which grants deportation immunity to immigrants already in the United States who are unable to return to their home country due to natural disaster or extreme political upheaval. In a Federal Register notice published on August 3rd, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated “Haiti is grappling with a deteriorating political crisis, violence, and a staggering increase in human rights abuses.” An already delicate Haitian body politic was further destabilized by the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, causing a political power struggle and an exacerbation of gang violence. Two weeks later, a massive earthquake ravaged the island, evoking the same sort devastation as the 2010 earthquake created, from which the country has still not fully recovered.
USCRI’s Statement on President Biden’s Presidential Determination (PD)
While we appreciate President Biden keeping his promise from the campaign trail to raise the Presidential Determination for this fiscal year, the 125,000 is not sufficient enough to accommodate the influx of refugees that will inevitably need to be resettled in the United States.
Earlier this month, USCRI El Salvador and the office of the Municipal Mayor of San Juan Opico, signed a cooperation agreement establishing a concrete plan to help youth who have been repatriated from the United States back to San Juan Opico through the Livelihoods program.
The Livelihoods program provides opportunities for job placement, technical training, and further education. The agreement reiterates our commitment to supporting youth as they re-establish their lives in El Salvador. Visit our website to learn more about our work.
We want to give a special thanks to our generous sponsors for helping us make this year's Welcoming Iowa Benefit possible!
