wfn.org | ABCUSA: Government Urged to Grant TPS to Haitians in U.S.

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (ABNS)--In a letter to President George W.
Bush, National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, has asked the
United States government to grant the request of Interim Prime Minister
Gerard Latortue of Haiti to give Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians
presently in the United States.

The letter-from National Ministries' Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F.
Wright-Riggins III-points out that close to 2,000 people have died in Haiti
in the wake of Tropical Storm Jeanne, and another thousand are missing.
Latortue has declared the portion of Haiti struck by the storm a disaster
area. 
 
This grave natural disaster, coupled with the present political unrest and
violence, warrants this action to assure the safety of Haitians presently in
the United States. TPS would permit Haitians currently in the U.S. to remain
here and qualify for work authorization. Eighteen months of TPS will assure
their safety until the country recovers from the storm's severe damage,
elections are held, and order and security are restored in Haiti. The TPS
program was established to provide protection to people who are temporarily
unable to return to their homelands.
 
National Ministries petitions the United States government to affirm its
tradition of caring for and protecting persons in vulnerable situations by
granting TPS to Haitians. Through this simple action, the United States will
help the people in Haiti by permitting their friends and relatives in the
United States to remain here, continuing to send support to this nation in
crisis. 

With a significant constituency of Haitian Americans, American Baptist
Churches USA is counting on the United States government to act with
compassion and justice.   

K/2004ABNS/04ABN116

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org