VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/2/10)—National Ministries seeks to ensure that all Haitian American Baptist congregations are aware the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced availability of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians who cannot return to their country because of the devastation caused by January’s massive earthquake.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is granted by the United States at the request of a foreign state that temporarily cannot handle the return of its nationals because of a disaster. The status will enable eligible Haitian nationals—along with persons without nationality who last habitually lived in Haiti—to live and work legally in the United States until at least July 2011.
Among other qualifications, Haitians must have resided in the United States since at least January 12, 2010, to be eligible for TPS. The registration period closes July 20, 2010: Applications must be filed before this date and must be postmarked on or before July 20.
The $470 application fee charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be waived if individuals can document their inability to pay.
Seeking qualified legal counsel to assure accuracy in completion of application forms is important.
National Ministries will host a workshop staffed by individuals accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide legal immigration advice and services. Attorneys will be on hand to offer free legal counsel and assistance in filling out the forms. Watch for announcements about the workshop date and details.
In the meantime, more information is available at the USCIS National Customer Service Center, 1-800-375-5283, and on the Web at www.uscis.gov. USCIS videos in English, French and Creole about TPS are available on the Web at www.uscis.gov > RESOURCES > USCIS Videos.
National Ministries’ national coordinator for Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services, the Rev. Aundreia Alexander Esq., is also available to answer questions about TPS at 1-800-ABC-3USA x2430 or aundreia.alexander@abc-usa.org.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.