Immigration policies hit home | Haitian community in Southwest Florida is fearful
The announcement that legal protection for Haitians living and working in the U.S. has those here in Southwest Florida frightened for their futures.
Temporary Protected Status — TPS — for Haitians is set to be terminated on Sept. 2, according to the Department of Homeland Security,
The TPS designation for the country was set to expire on Aug. 3, with the termination scheduled the following month.
Haitian American Community Coalition of SWFL President Beatrice Jacquet-Castor said this year has been a very odd one for Haitian people, as they have been attacked from all sides.
“Right now, we are helping our community members find other statuses that they might be qualified for,” she said, adding the odds for that option is very slim as there are not many other than temporary protective status. “It’s not that they don’t want to become legal. It’s the only legal protection they had because they don’t qualify for anything else.”
Jacquet-Castor said to become legal, those without TPS protection must have a child who is at least 21 who could petition for them; be married to a U.S. citizen; or affected by violence.
She said many cannot pay the fee to petition for a relative, as that cost alone is $2,000, and there is no guaranteed approval.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, at least 60 days before a TPS designation expires, the conditions of the country are reviewed to determine if the supporting condition of the designation continues to be met. Secretary Kristi Noem determined that Haiti’s conditions no longer meet the requirements of TPS, as the country’s conditions have improved enough for Haitians to safely return home.
Jacquet-Castor said there have been no changes in Haiti as the president there was assassinated a couple of years ago.
“The people don’t have a home to go back to. The situation has not improved,” she said, adding that if the conditions did improve, and they had a home, infrastructure, or jobs, they would return.
“Unfortunately, it is not the case,” she said.
There are about 50,000 Haitians in Southwest Florida, Jacquet-Castor said, adding there are a lot of scared people showing hesitation because they do not know what their future holds.
Since the status being known last Friday, the coalition has looked at up to 100 cases a day within an eight-hour workday to figure out how to help.
“We don’t have enough support. We need a lot of volunteers,” Jacquet-Castor said, adding that financial support would also help them get the resources they need.
“We don’t have the financial support right now,” she said.
Those who would like to help, can call the office at 239-202-9855, or call her cell phone at 239-878-5898. The office is at 3849 Evans Ave., Suite 304.
There are a number of groups that are part of the Haitian network that are working together to navigate what has transpired to figure out different options, she added.
“We are trying to do our best to help,” Jacquet-Castor said.
The September deadline also ties to driving privileges, which will end. They are now trying to raise funds to get transportation because she can already anticipate the need, she said,
“Pretty soon it is going to get worse,” Jacquet-Castor said. “I don’t think people understand how it is going to impact our community.”
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com