By What happened in Haiti is obviously tragic and sad thing, but why do illegal immigrants need to be awarded with amnesty for breaking the law in response?:
Federal immigration officials are expecting up to 200,000 undocumented Haitian immigrants to apply for a new federal immigration program that would allow the migrants to legally remain and work in the United States for 18 months.The estimated number of potential applicants for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is far larger than earlier predictions of about 30,000 Haitians nationwide, according to local immigrant organizations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials.
The higher figures emerged Wednesday during a briefing with reporters by USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. He was in Miami to meet with several South Florida immigrant aid organizations involved in assisting undocumented Haitian immigrants applying for TPS. Nearly 68,000 are expected to apply in South Florida.
His visit comes on the heels of the Obama administration’s announcement last week to grant TPS to undocumented Haitian immigrants who were in the United States on or before Jan. 12 — the day the earthquake struck Haiti. Those who arrive after the Jan. 12 deadline will be repatriated to Haiti. [Stars & Stripes]
The article says the hope is that the illegals will find jobs in the US and send the money back to Haiti. These people obviously have some form of making money if they are residing in the country illegally already.
I just find it interesting that the government is able to instantly grant amnesty to 200,000 Haitians who are breaking the law by illegally residing in the country and the wife and son of a US Marine who gave his life in combat serving his country gets deported after she legally entered the country.
11:48 pm on January 21st, 2010 1
This has a faint odor of reparations.
1:32 am on January 22nd, 2010 2
I guess I should highlight a few things the Stars and Stripes failed to.
1. A key word in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is TEMPORARY. It is not permanent. It has a termination day.
2. It is not some NEW entitlement created for the Haitians. It has been an option available to the INS for just such purposes for some time now. The Haitians are not the first group to be granted such status. (see http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.e… )
3. If properly registered under this status, it will make it that much easier for the INS to identify, check on, and track those who had been previously staying illegally anyhow.
Regarding #3. It seems to me thats a good thing.
1:53 am on January 22nd, 2010 3
I wonder why Hotaru Ferschke wasn't allowed to stay until legislation wound its way through Congress? My guess is because she and her supporters tend to be from a class not particularly prone to vote for the current administration.
4:12 am on January 22nd, 2010 4
Is she still in the States?
6:47 am on January 22nd, 2010 5
I guess spreading the wealth (taxpayer dollars)also applies to illegals.
8:39 am on January 22nd, 2010 6
It is somewhat embarrassing if nothing else.
11:25 pm on January 22nd, 2010 7
You are factually correct on points #1 and #2. However, #3, even if correct, is irrelevant because as far as I know, the INS did not track nationalities previously eligible, like Salvadorans, who did not leave voluntarily after their temporary legal status was ended. All this does is make it a little easier for Haitians to find work, but given the recession, I don't know how much difference it will make. Job openings are few and applicants many.
12:19 am on January 23rd, 2010 8
No she is not. Her and her son went back to Okinawa this month.
12:47 am on January 23rd, 2010 9
The irony is, this tragedy may cause more Haitians to want to return to their country than would otherwise.
What with all the commitments to foreign aid and rhetoric about the need to rebuild it as a stable country that it had never been, educated and job skilled Haitians may find more opportunities there than in the U.S.
9:53 am on January 23rd, 2010 10
In a sense, it may be, and rightly so. Didn't the US government passed a law a few years back that made it impossible for Haitian boat people to claim refugee status?
9:55 am on January 23rd, 2010 11
If it weren't for illegal immigrants, the food on your table would be a lot more expensive. Besides, some illegal immigrants actually pay taxes.
10:10 am on January 23rd, 2010 12
Same tired old liberal line from the Liberal/canadian that wants to be American.
Are all canadians also Liberals?
10:33 am on January 23rd, 2010 13
Want to be American? Same tired old line by an American who still holds on to the quaint notion that his country is the best place in the world and Canada is nothing but moose and igloos.
Canadian conservatives are liberal by American standards.
11:35 am on January 23rd, 2010 14
You know what Teadrinker, there is probably some economic benefit to me driving to work at 100MPH. I don't understand why a technicality like the law should get in the way…
1:08 pm on January 23rd, 2010 15
Actually, if you're driving at 100mph you're using more fuel, which means you're paying more taxes…and increasing your country's dependence on foreign oil.
As a Canadian, I'd like to personally thank you on behalf of my country:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data…
1:46 pm on January 23rd, 2010 16
Not those "conservatives" in Alberta, many of whom would love to break away from the other provinces they are supporting.
4:01 pm on January 23rd, 2010 17
John,
The ones I've met were more intolerant than conservative.
11:24 pm on January 23rd, 2010 18
I assure you what I do more than makes up for the extra gas I would use.
I won't belabor this point. Personally, I think letting the Haitians stay under current circumstances makes perfect sense. But could someone give me a rational explanation why they get to stay yet Hotaru gets told to go back to Japan…or else?
7:16 am on January 24th, 2010 19
You may be right about the cost of food. I pay $4000.00 plus a year in property tax. Most of which goes to the school district. How much are the illegals paying? Only difference between their kids and mine are their kids get a free lunch but mine have to pay. Guess its good training for future welfare programs.
10:00 am on February 25th, 2010 20
IT'S OK THAT A TEMPORARY STEP TAKEN FOR THE HAITIANS.IT'S REALLY NEEDED FOR THEM IN THIS CONDITION.
ALSO THE WIFE/HUSBAND OF LATE AMARICAN MEN/WOMEN SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY IN USA.