With the Obama administration recently granting Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, to Haitians living illegally in the U.S., the Springfield Diocese is hosting a workshop for people interested in applying on Feb. 9.
The workshop, organized by the diocese’s Catholic Charities agency, is open to any Haitians now living in the four western counties. “At this workshop there will be case workers available to assist people in understanding the criteria and eligibility for TPS and opportunity to complete the initial application,” according to a diocese announcement.
Temporary protected status protects people living illegally in the country from deportation for up to 18 months, and gives them the necessary documentation to live and work here during that time period. The status was granted to Haitians in the U.S. after the devastating January earthquake, in recognition of the danger they would face if they were sent back to their country at this time. In the past, immigrants from Somalia, Sudan, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua have been granted TPS.
According to the New York Times, there are about 30,000 Haitians in the U.S. who have been ordered to be deported, and another 100,000 here illegally.
The workshop will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bishop Marshall Center, behind St. Michael’s Cathedral at 254 State St. in Springfield. For information, call 413-452-0605.
