The Biden administration announced an expansion of deportation relief and work permits for approximately 309,000 Haitians currently residing in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, Jun 28.
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program will now extend to Haitians until February 2026 due to the severe violence and security challenges in Haiti, which hinder access to essential services like safety, healthcare, food, and water. This expansion will include Haitians present in the U.S. as of June 3. Previously, around 264,000 Haitians in the U.S. were covered under this program.
President Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election, has been navigating a complex political landscape regarding immigration. His approach aims to bolster security at the U.S.-Mexico border while adopting more compassionate policies towards undocumented immigrants in the country.
In a recent debate, Biden faced criticism from his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, over his handling of illegal immigration.
Haiti is experiencing severe instability, with gang violence displacing over half a million people and nearly 5 million suffering from acute food insecurity. Armed groups have taken control of most of the capital, leading to widespread violence, kidnappings, and other atrocities.