8/9/2019 Letter About TPS (english)

1/1

It is now more than 2 months since the American Government in response to the Earthquake in Haiti

offered TPS (Temporary Protected Status) for Haitian citizens that were in the USA prior to January 12,

2010. The estimated number of Haitians eligible for TPS is between 100,000 to 200,000 reports USCIS

but barely a quarter of that estimated number applied for TPS based on the count of application

received by Immigration.

In the first few weeks many organizations in NYC eager to help, emerged all over Haitian populated

neighborhoods. In Brooklyn and Queens primarily, in almost every corner there was someone

somewhere, somehow helping with TPS. These organizations and workshops ranged from qualified legal

professionals to totally misinformed helpers. Many were free such as the churches, temples and several

community based organizations but various were charging up to $1300 for filling fees.

Despise all these efforts the numbers do not add up. There is a huge gap between the estimated

100,000-200,000 and the 34,657 applications received by USCIS. Did they over estimated the numbers?

Are illegal Haitians too fearful? Arent there enough qualified legal professionals to handle the TPS

application with complications? Is the fee too high? Whatever the reasons could be, something needs to

be done to help Haitians who are eligible to take advantage of the TPS.

First of all the dissemination of accurate information pertaining to TPS at large is vital and necessary but

also taking down myths and rumors related to the Fee Waiver and its impact on the TPS application, The

cutoff date, and the waivers available for some special situations such as arrests, convictions,

incarcerations, deportation orders, and the holding of another valid type of visa. Secondly, all materials

about TPS should be available in Haitian Creole and thirdly, the leaders of the Haitian community should

be trained and kept informed about all existing help for the community.

Church World Service is one of the many organizations that offer help with TPS FREE of CHARGE, in a

private setting and by lawyers or legal professionals specifically trained to handle TPS cases. Concernedwith the low turnouts and the cutoff date approaching, many organizations such as AILA,NYIC,

Immigrant Defense Project, Legal Aid Society of NY, CAMBA, CWS, Catholic Charities, CUNY Citizenship

Now, Legal Aid, and others are looking for answers to reach these Haitian citizens who need obviously

more help than what was offered.

Church World Service is located at 420 Riverside Dr and is now accepting call-ins for TPS applications and

questions at their (212) 870 2814 telephone number. In their effort to inform and demystify some of

the aspect of the TPS application CWS (Church World Service) is working along with other well

established organization to find a better way to reach the Haitian population in NYC. The help of the

Haitian Media and Consulate is fundamental for the dissemination of the accurate information and helpavailable for the Haitian community.