U.S. to halt deportations of undocumented Haitians due to earthquake

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"The Obama administration is temporarily suspending deportations of undocumented Haitian nationals who are in the United States, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday at a news conference in Miami.

But there are no immediate indications from the Obama administration that it would grant Haitian nationals Temporary Protected Status in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake.

Better known by its acronym TPS, the immigration benefit is given to certain immigrants in the United States who cannot safely return to their countries because of armed conflicts, natural disasters or other emergencies. Those eligible for TPS are allowed to remain in the United States.

Haitian activists have sought TPS for years to no avail.

Speaking at the Miami-Dade County Emergency Operations Center in Doral, Crist said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told him by telephone that her department was halting removals of undocumented Haitian immigrants to the earthquake-devastated country.

"In my conversations with Secretary Napolitano, she indicated that that was already in effect," said Crist, who spoke with Napolitano on Wednesday morning. "According to the secretary, no one will be sent back."

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[MineralMan]

1. What a pity Obama won't act quickly in a time of crisis, eh?

Dithering, dithering, dithering. :sarcasm:

[Warpy]

2. Well, thank goodness for that much

Somehow I think the Bushies would have simply shipped them into the disaster zone.

[blondeatlast]

5. GWB would have sent a few Mexican nationals with them. nt

[uppityperson]

3. Delete as don't need to post snark today

Glad they aren't shipping them back for the disaster, too bad it has taken a disaster to not ship them back.

[blondeatlast]

4. Good, good, good. nt

[cali]

6. very good. thanks for posting. now let them have TPS.

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. good

[lebkuchen]

8. How is it that so many countries in the Western Hemisphere are living in poverty?

And they're America's next door neighbors.

Meanwhile, Blackwater is asking for another $1 billion to shoot at anything that moves, undermining the US military's mission to win hearts and minds.

Something is not right with the US govt.