Washington D.C., Oct 15, 2008 / 03:51 am
Citing humanitarian concerns caused by four hurricane strikes, political unrest, and food shortages in the Caribbean nation of Haiti, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked President George W. Bush to grant the country Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
A TPS designation for a country permits nationals to reside in the U.S. legally and to qualify for work authorization.
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, made the request in a letter dated October 8.
“The United States Catholic Bishops Conference has a long history of serving the Haitian community, both in the United States and in Haiti, and has first-hand knowledge of the great humanitarian challenges facing the Haitian people,” Cardinal George began.