The New York City Council adopted by a vote of 51-0 a resolution urging Congress to pass legislation granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals in the United States. The unanimous vote in favor of Resolution 1595, introduced by Haitian-American Council member Mathieu Eugene, is the latest to reflect a growing sentiment across the United States that Haitians deserve to enjoy the benefits of temporary safe haven while their homeland and its international allies come up with a winning strategy for growth, safety, political stability and poverty reduction.
TPS is a measure enacted as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 that provides temporary relief from deportation and a work permit to “aliens in the United States who are temporarily unable to safely return to their home country because of ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.”
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On April 20, 2009, The Committee on Immigration of the Council of the City of New York held a hearing on Resolution 1595 which urges the US government to designate nationals of Haiti eligible for Temporary Protected Status under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Resolution, initiated by Councilman Mathieu Eugene, passed unanimously on a voice vote.
The Committee heard testimony from 4 Haitian-Americans, among them Bishop Guy Sansaricq. Jocelyn McCalla testified on behalf of Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP). Following is the statement that was delivered at the hearing.
Statement of Haitian-Americans United for Progress
Hearing on Res. No. 1595
April 20, 2009
My name is Jocelyn McCalla and I want to begin by thanking the Committee on Immigration for extending an invitation to testify to Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP). Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an important measure that has long been denied Haitian nationals in the United States although they have clearly qualified since the measure was adopted by the US government. I will go more in depth on this matter but allow me to first say a few words about my organization, HAUP.
HAUP stands uniquely in the NY City area as the oldest community-based organization that emerged 34 years ago to help resettle and integrate Haitian asylum-seekers as well as advocate on 
their behalf. Amongst our founders, we proudly include Bishop Guy Sansaricq, a refugee from the Duvalier dictatorship which caused thousands of Haitians to immigrate to the United States and make New York City their home. We like to believe that it is thanks to the efforts deployed by HAUP and other Haitian CBOs and advocacy organizations that today many Haitian-Americans can be found at the helm of some of the leading private and public sector institutions that make NY such a great city.
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Tags: clinton, haitian, haitian-american, Immigrant, Immigration, new york city, NYC Council, obama, refugee, tps
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April 20, 2009 10:56 pm | 
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The New York City Council adopted by a vote of 51-0 a resolution urging Congress to pass legislation granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals in the United States. The unanimous vote in favor of Resolution 1595, introduced by Haitian-American Council member Mathieu Eugene, is the latest to reflect a growing sentiment across the United States that Haitians deserve to enjoy the benefits of temporary safe haven while their homeland and its international allies come up with a winning strategy for growth, safety, political stability and poverty reduction.
