 Right now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether or not to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in the United States. In response to the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, the U.S. government pledged to provide protection through TPS for Haitians already in the United States. Today, about 58,000 Haitians, who were in the United States since January 12, 2011, have been able to rebuild their lives, work, and raise a family in safety, while their remittances support loved ones in Haiti.
We need faith leaders, TPS recipients, community members, and local and national organizations to call DHS Secretary
TODAY to demand that they extend TPS for Haitian immigrants for at least another 18 months! Let's flood the DHS phone lines to give a clear message that we stand with our Haitian friends. Tell the administration to live up to our promise and be the champion we said we would be to the Haitian diaspora.
Take Action TODAY: Tell DHS Secretary Kelly to Extend TPS Protections for Haiti
DHS Comment Line: (202) 282-8495 (please leave a message)
Sample Script: "I'm from [City, State, Congregation/Community] and as a person of faith, I urge DHS Secretary Kelly to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians for at least another 18 months. Current conditions in Haiti - such as food insecurity and hunger, the cholera epidemic, and economic instability - exacerbated by Hurricane Matthew - make it unsafe for anyone to be deported to Haiti. Haitians are fleeing catastrophic conditions and should be allowed to remain in the United States."
The catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 exacerbated challenges to Haiti's recovery, and tens of thousands of homes and schools were destroyed, as well as agricultural crops and livestock. Haiti continues to face widespread hunger, food insecurity, and disease, including the worst cholera epidemic in the world. TPS is set to expire on July 22, 2017, and the administration is planning to end TPS for Haitians altogether in January 2018. To let either of these happen would mean turning our backs on the vulnerable Haitians whom we pledged to welcome, and would place considerable burdens on the country as it struggles to recover from multiple natural disasters.
As people of faith, we are called to welcome the stranger, stand with the vulnerable, and love our neighbor.
Tell Secretary Kelly
that TPS must be extended for at least another 18 months -- to do otherwise would be an affront to our American values of hospitality, generosity, and compassion. Right now, we have a moral and legal obligation to Haitians seeking safety and a better future for their families.
Thank you for taking action, and for all your work and support!
Click here
to download an interfaith letter signed by over 400 faith leaders and organizations urging Secretary Kelly to extend TPS for Haiti. For more resources on Haiti, please click
here
,
here
, and
here.
Please consider supporting farmworkers in two ways through our partners with National Farm Worker Ministries:
- Consider using and sharing the attached bulletin insert/flyer to promote a May 22nd "Day for Prayer and Action" to promote the Boycott Against Wendy's in support of fair wages and treatment for tomato farmworkers.
- Consider using and praying the Litany provided, written by Julie Taylor, Executive Director of National Farm Worker Ministry and based on this Sunday's lectionary text from John 14, that lifts up farmworkers and their contributions to each meal we eat.
For more information on National Farm Worker Ministry, go to:
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