Urge President Bush and Secretary Chertoff to Protect Vulnerable Migrants!
July 2005

For
over 124 years, HIAS has assisted refugees and other vulnerable
migrants fleeing persecution, violence, and oppression. Based on the
Jewish tradition of “protecting the stranger in our midst,” it is
essential that protection be provided for Haitians present in United
States, but in fear of return to their home country.

Haiti
is currently facing tremendous political and civil unrest, marked by
widespread violence. Tens of thousands of Haitians are present in the
U.S. at risk of deportation or the expiration of temporary visas. To
return to their home country under present conditions would be a
serious threat to their security.

Temporary Protected
Status (TPS) will permit Haitians presently in the United States to
reside here and qualify for work authorization for 18 months. It would
thus guarantee their safety until there is political stability and an
end to the armed conflict in their home country.

Please
contact President Bush and the Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and
ask that Haitians currently present in the United States be eligible
for TPS for a period of 18 months.

Act now! A sample
letter is provided below. Please send letters via fax to President
Bush: (202) 456-2461, and Secretary Chertoff: (202) 282-8401, and be
sure to include the date your name and contact information.

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

The Honorable Michael Chertoff, Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

Dear President Bush and Secretary Chertoff

Please
designate the country of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for
a period of 18 months. The present political unrest, armed conflict,
and chaos warrant this action to assure the safety of Haitians
presently in the United States.

TPS would permit
Haitians presently in the United States to remain here and qualify for
work authorization. Eighteen months of TPS will assure their safety
until the situation in Haiti is resolved, the current violence is
brought to an end, and order and security is restored.

The
TPS program was established to provide protection to people who are
temporarily unable to return to their homelands because of a serious
ongoing-armed conflict – exactly the situation in Haiti now. Please
affirm the United States tradition’ of caring for and protecting
persons in vulnerable situations by granting TPS to Haitians.

Sincerely,