Overview:
New York Lawyer Basic Letitia James vows to guard Haitians in New York and throughout the nation because the Trump administration pushes to revoke Short-term Protected Standing (TPS) from hundreds of immigrants. James, joined by 18 attorneys normal nationwide, underscores the significance of TPS and the necessity to uphold America’s promise to these searching for refuge.
New York is dwelling to over 163,000 Haitians who’re part of our numerous tapestry. Lots of them have made their dwelling right here as a result of our state has at all times been a beacon of freedom, welcoming households from internationally as they attempt for a greater life.
Sadly, the Republican administration needs to undo that basis of our nation. Trump just lately moved to strip greater than 500,000 immigrants, together with 5,400 Haitians who dwell in New York Metropolis, of their Short-term Protected Standing (TPS) granted over the past a number of years. Stripping Haitians of their authorized standing is not going to make our communities safer or stronger; it’ll solely endanger these immigrants and their households.
That’s why I’m co-leading a coalition of 18 attorneys normal from throughout the nation to defend these protections for Haitians residing on this nation. With out the assistance of the TPS program, which was granted to those immigrants of their time of nice want, they are going to lose their proper to stay within the nation.
With out the assistance of the TPS designation, which was granted to those immigrants of their time of nice want, they are going to lose their proper to stay within the nation.
DHS reverses Biden’s extension, setting new expiration for August 2025
Applications like TPS present a authorized avenue to guard immigrants going through harmful circumstances of their respective international locations. Eliminating TPS would power these people, a lot of whom are hardworking contributors to our financial system, to return to their international locations, the place they’d face extraordinarily harmful circumstances, whereas leaving hundreds of American companies with out staff.
This Republican administration just isn’t solely breaking these guarantees, however they’re additionally endangering the lives of those that got here to our nation searching for assist. And if they’re prepared to interrupt our nation’s promise to the Haitian neighborhood who trusted us with their security, who can assure that this administration is not going to break its promise to different immigrant communities receiving TPS help, just like the Hondurans and Salvadorans who name New York dwelling?
That’s why we should proceed to struggle towards these injustices dedicated by this administration and act in accordance with the rules which have made our nation a shining gentle to these searching for freedom from across the globe.
The New York lawyer normal joins 18 different states in opposing the administration’s plan to finish protections for Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants.
I’m very happy with the work my workplace has accomplished over time to guard the rights of our immigrant communities, together with these from Haiti. My workplace has carried out that mission in some ways.
Now we have gone to america Supreme Court docket and efficiently stopped a query about citizenship from being added to the Census. We protected the DACA program and the DREAMers who need to dwell right here and attempt to attain their American Dream. We efficiently sued to cease ICE from patrolling courthouses in New York Metropolis and endangering immigrants and our justice system.
However we should not relaxation on the laurels of the previous. The work by no means stops as a result of the wrestle for brand new New Yorkers, and for Haitians searching for a greater life right here in america, is ongoing. My workplace will proceed do every little thing attainable to assist these below TPS safety, and I’ll be part of my 18 fellow attorneys normal within the struggle to guard our most weak communities.
Our nation was constructed on the premise that if one wished to flee persecution—whether or not it was the oppression of a British monarchy like that of King George III or the violent political upheaval now we have seen afflict Port-au-Prince—we, as a nation, would welcome the oppressed with open arms.
And, so long as the Statute of Liberty stands proudly in our harbor, we should do every little thing in our energy to honor that dedication.
I’ll proceed to struggle for New Yorkers throughout our state who’ve come right here searching for a greater life.
Letitia James is the Lawyer Basic of the State of New York.