Skip to main content

Pelosi Statement on Trump Administration Decision to Terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Nationals

November 20, 2017

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616

San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement after it was announced that the Trump Administration is terminating Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals, with an 18-month deadline:

"On the first day of Thanksgiving week, the Trump Administration has delivered sad news to tens of thousands of families across America.

"International aid agencies have consistently warned that the situation in Haiti remains dire and any progress is tenuous. A recent report by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops found that, β€˜At this point in its recovery, a decision to terminate TPS for Haiti would be both premature and inhumane.'

"Deporting tens of thousands of men and women back into the nation will only deepen the suffering in Haiti. Most of the 59,000 people here came after the devastating earthquake in 2010, and should not be sent back to a nation whose already halting recovery has been set back again by the recent hurricanes and the continuing cholera epidemic.

"I am disappointed in the decision because I completely disagree with the characterization that the situation in Haiti has improved. Congress must use the 18 month period to act to provide permanent security for the hard-working Haitians who make a valuable contribution to our country and provide critical remittances to Haiti."

# # #