Washington D.C., May 18, 2011 / 22:47 pm
The U.S. Catholic bishops expressed appreciation on May 17 for the Obama administration's decision to extend the “Temporary Protected Status” of Haitian immigrants, in keeping with the bishops' own recommendations.
“It is simply the right thing to do,” said Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, the U.S. bishops' chairman on migration. “This action will permit those who entered the United States in the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster to remain and work to support their families.”
The administration's decision will extend Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for another 18 months, beginning on July 23. It will apply to Haitians who entered the U.S. up to one year after the earthquake that struck the island on January 12, 2010.
Tucson, Arizona Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, chairman of Catholic Relief Services, noted that many of these immigrants were sending money back to a country hit hard by disease and natural disasters.