Haitian Nationals In The U.S.
After the Earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010, U.S Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) temporarily ceased removing Haitians from the United States.
Yesterday the U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a press release explaining that on September 21, 2016 the DOHS decided to resume the regular removal of Haitian Nationals. Effective immediately, enforcement decisions with respect to Haitian nationals should be, consistent standard practice, guided by my memorandum dated November 20, 2014, “Policies for the Apprehension, Detention and Removal of Undocumented Immigrants.”
In other words, Haitians no longer have an advantage over other Nationals coming from different foreign countries. Although there are numerous ways one can stay in the country, it will become difficult to stay here as a natural born Haitian without fear of going back to Haiti.
Consistent with law, individuals who express a fear of return to Haiti will be screened by a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asylum officer to determine whether they possess a credible fear of persecution or torture.
Haitian nationals currently covered by Temporary Protected Status are unaffected by this change in policy. These TPS beneficiaries also remain eligible for employment authorization. TPS for Haitian nationals has been extended through July 22, 2017.
DHS will continue to promote safe, orderly avenues for Haitian nationals seeking to immigrate to the United States, including through Haitian Family Reunification Parole. This allows for certain beneficiaries of approved family-based petitions to be paroled into the United States up to two years before their visa priority date becomes current.
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