In the framework of the Haitian government’s efforts to encourage the U.S. government to renew the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted to Haitians following the January 2010 earthquake, a status which is slated to expire on January 22, 2018, the Embassy of Haiti in Washington, D.C. hosted recently members of Congress for a working dinner.

In addition to the elected officials, the dinner brought together representatives of civil society organizations engaged in the movement to renew TPS for Haitians.

The members of Congress in attendance expressed their willingness to provide their full support to the TPS dossier. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, declared that Haitians in general are exemplary citizens, and he is therefore ready to provide his unwavering support to the TPS renewal movement.

According to Eddie Bernice Johnson and Alcee Hastings, Haitian Defenders in Congress defending the Haitian cause in the United States has never been easy. For this reason, in addition to their own political support, the elected officials expressed the need for a strong engagement of the Haitian Diaspora in the TPS matter.

The members of Congress also pointed out that in the context of the upcoming 2018 legislative and local elections in the United States, the Haitian Diaspora must put their weight in the balance, even those who are not directly affected by TPS. Congressman Sanford Bishop, Representative of Georgia’s 2nd District, stated that Haitians are an undeniable force in some states and districts, and must use this as an asset for the TPS renewal campaign. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Representative of Texas’s 18th District and member of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, asserted that the business community, academia, churches, healthcare workers, and airport workers must make their voices heard to mobilize support for the renewal of TPS.

The members of Congress reiterated their willingness to put all their political weight in the balance to help the Haitian government obtain an extension of TPS for 18 months. For instance, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Representative of New York’s 9th District, informed the group that she plans to reach out to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other entities within Congress to enlist their support.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22214-haiti-tps-senators-democrats-put-pressure-on-president-trump.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22172-haiti-flash-diaspora-tps-hotline-at-the-embassy-of-haiti-in-washington.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21103-haiti-john-kelly-a-cynical-attempt-to-justify-the-uncertainty-dixit-congresswoman-clarke.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21037-haiti-flash-extension-of-tps-procedures-to-follow.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21022-haiti-usa-tps-congresswoman-yvette-d-clarke-denounces.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21016-haiti-flash-tps-extension-for-6-months-official.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20832-haiti-flash-black-caucus-supports-tps-extension.html

ttp://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20820-haiti-flash-tps-pressures-multiply-on-government-trump.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20069-haiti-diaspora-congresswoman-yvette-d-clarke-wants-to-expand-the-tps.html

SL/ HaitiLibre