Representative Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (D-FL) joined 40 lawmakers urging the Biden-Harris Administration to renew Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals in the United States.
Temporary Protected Status prevents aliens from designated countries from being deported and protects their eligibility for work authorization because a safe return to their home country is impossible.
Rep. Cherfilus McCormick's letter highlighted the instability Haiti has faced since the collapse of the central government in March, saying, "Gang violence has surged to unprecedented levels, displacing families, disrupting daily life, and contributing to a humanitarian emergency. Access to basic needs such as food, clean water, and medical care remains severely limited."
As a result, she continued, "Redesignating TPS for Haiti would extend these protections to individuals who arrived in the U.S. after the most recent designation in June, ensuring that those fleeing perilous conditions are not forced to return to circumstances that threaten their lives and well-being."
In her press release, Rep. Cherfilus McCormick called TPS "a lifeline" and added, "Renewing these protections ensures we can shield innocent lives from harm and prevent communities from being torn apart."
During an interview with WPLG Local 10 in December, the Florida Congresswoman discussed the future of Haiti with President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House on January 20th, saying, "We are going to see more, I believe, of the conversation of Haiti as a national security issue."
Moreover, she suggested, "If there is no relief in Haiti, our borders are going to be a continuous issue. If there is no release in Haiti, we are going to continue seeing more of the cartels coming into Haiti and taking control of it."
Businessman and humanitarian Austin Holmes similarly observed the cartels' influence on Haiti, writing an opinion piece for The Floridian later in December, saying the Trump Administration "now has an opportunity to deliver the strong, decisive American leadership needed more than ever."
Holmes outlined three areas the new Trump Presidency must address: "security, targeted humanitarian aid, and governance reform."
