The Trump administration is ending temporary protected status for some 60,000 Haitians living in the U.S. after an earthquake devastated their country in 2010.
This affects between 80 and 150 Haitians in New Hampshire, according to Samson DuClair, president of the Haitian Community Center of N.H. He says these people are worried about being sent back, and many don’t have a home to return to.
“There will never be enough time to prepare to be home because Haiti is not in good shape right now," he says. "And all our areas, we’re not in good shape. We’re not ready to have even a couple hundred Haitians going back, never mind 60,000.”
These Haitians must leave the U.S. by July 2019 or face deportation. DuClair says he hopes the government reconsiders and extends the protected status. U.S. Homeland Security defines this status as a temporary immigration benefit that allows eligible nationals of designated countries to remain in the U.S., and obtain work authorization.
"When something affects us here, it’s also hurting a lot of people who are depending on us," he adds. "They depend on us to help them out. Many family members over there are going to be hurt by this decision.”
