The Latino Commission On AIDS Calls on President Obama to Grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians Living In U.S.

New York, Wednesday, January 13, 2010 – The Latino Commission on AIDS, in solidarity with the people of Haiti, calls on President Obama to immediately grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians living in the U.S.  The Commission believes that granting TPS is one of the most effective ways to help a community ravaged by such a devastating natural disaster.   
 
A primary source of support for Haitian families living in Haiti is the remittances sent by their hard-working relatives residing in the U.S. In 2008 alone, this form of support was calculated by the Interamerican Development Bank to total $1.8 Billion.  Without any doubt, this is the most direct form of support for needy families in Haiti, particularly in a time of crisis as the one facing Haitians now.
 
“We respectfully call on President Barack Obama to exercise his executive authority to grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitian nationals. By granting TPS to the Haitian community in the United States, President Obama will ensure the continuation of family- to-family support during this difficult time of crisis that has devastated to our sister nation who is in greater need now than ever” stated Guillermo Chacón, President, Latino Commission on AIDS.  

We all must work together and work quickly, to ensure that the pressing needs of the Haitian community are met during this difficult time as the damage is being assessed.  We call people of goodwill to contribute to the relief efforts in support of Haiti.