What’s wrong with Temporary Protected Status?
• It only applies to those who were living in the US before January 12, 2010.
• It does not provide a path to permanent residency. It is intended to be temporary.
• The current TPS term will expire on July 22, 2011. When the term expires, the US government can decide not to extend it.
• Some Haitians who qualify for TPS are afraid to apply, because they fear exposing themselves to immigration authorities could lead to deportation. (read more)
Helping Members Through Uncertain Times
Marie-C. has been attending Survival English classes at HWHR since September 2009. “When I started, I could not converse with someone who spoke English,” she said. “Now, anything I need, I can ask.” Her teacher, Ruth-Marie Charles, notices Marie-C.’s sense of determination. “She has perfect attendance, and she asks a lot of questions. She pushes, and works hard to enrich herself.”
Learning English is a vital skill for Marie-C., who recently received her work authorization through the Temporary Protected Status program for previously undocumented Haitians living in the United States before the January 2010 earthquake. HWHR provided financial assistance to help Marie-C. and other clients complete the application process. “Thanks to the emergency funds that we have raised through individual donors since the earthquake, we were able to help a few of our clients with unexpected expenses and immigration fees,” said HWHR’s Executive Director Ninaj Raoul.
“Although in many cases free legal help and fee waivers were available for TPS applicants, people still have to pay $340 to obtain employment authorization,” Raoul explained, pointing out that this payment amount an be a hardship since applicants usually don’t have a steady income. (read more)
On September 7, 2010, our mentor and friend Reverend Lucius Walker passed on.
As the Director of our fiscal sponsor IFCO/Pastors for Peace, Reverend Walker provided years of direct support, guidance, and powerful examples of true grassroots community organizing. Lucius was committed to seeing justice for the poor throughout the Americas. He showed his love for Haiti by sponsoring 12 doctors from the LatinAmerican Medical School to serve after the earthquake. The memory of his courage and gentle spirit will always be with us.
Thank You
Thank You to all of the supporters and sponsors who have made grants to HWHR since January 2010. We are especially grateful to all the individuals and organizations who have given generous donations and time over the years. We survive because of your solidartiy and financial support.
Partnerships
Thank you to our local parnters Lakou New York, Kongo, and Flanbwayan. Together, we will continue to support MUDHA and our other community partners in Haiti, with shipments of soap and other supplies, as concerns grow about the cholera epidemic.
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