Biden Administration Extends Deportation Moratorium for Haitians

Considering Unsafe Conditions Upon Return... Allowing Legal Stay for 18 Months

Photo by WSJ

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The Biden administration in the United States, which advocates a pro-immigration policy, has decided to suspend the deportation of Haitians residing in the country and grant them work authorization.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and others, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it will halt the deportation of 150,000 Haitian immigrants amid ongoing political turmoil and deteriorating security in Haiti, and will grant them Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

On the 22nd (local time), the Department of Homeland Security stated in a press release, "Considering the security issues, social unrest, human rights violations, severe poverty, and resource shortages currently faced by Haiti, we will provide maximum support until Haitians in the U.S. can safely return to their home country."

The TPS will be maintained for 18 months and will apply not only to Haitian nationals residing in the U.S. but also to individuals who have never lived in Haiti.

TPS is a status granted to foreigners who cannot safely return to their home country due to armed conflict or natural disasters. Those granted TPS are not deported from the U.S. and can receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

This decision reverses the anti-immigration policies of the former Donald Trump administration. Previously, the Barack Obama administration designated Haiti as a TPS country following the massive earthquake in 2010 and provided protection. However, under the Trump administration, the TPS designation for Haitian immigrants was terminated, and even the federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration, putting Haitian immigrants at risk of deportation.

Haiti, long suffering from extreme poverty and natural disasters, has recently experienced intensified political and social turmoil. Protests demanding the resignation of President Mo?se have continued in response to government corruption, incompetence, and worsening security. In February, amid confusion over the president’s term, numerous opposition figures including Supreme Court justices were arrested en masse.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.