NCLR CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS IN RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

Contact:
Jackeline Stewart
(202) 785-1670
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan 14, 2010


NCLR CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS IN RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

Washington, DC-NCLR (National Council of La Raza) urges President Obama to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians. The January 12 earthquake, reaching a magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter scale, has devastated an already struggling nation. Haiti applied for TPS status after crippling hurricanes and storms in 2008 and was denied despite unlivable conditions.

The Department of Homeland Security has already temporarily suspended deportations to Haiti. The next step to address this catastrophe would be to extend TPS. As the U.S. continues to carry on important and necessary relief efforts after this latest disaster, moving forward with the long-delayed TPS designation would truly demonstrate our country's humanitarian tradition.

"Helping our neighbors is a value that has defined our nation," said NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía. "Our country's emergency response efforts are needed and appreciated, and they should be coupled with TPS designation. The extent of this earthquake calls for a bold federal response."

NCLR is working with civil rights and advocacy organizations to urge the president to extend TPS to Haitians.

For more information, visit www.nclr.org | http://www.facebook.com/nationalcounciloflaraza | http://www.myspace.com/nclr2008 | http://twitter.com/nclr.

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