That is what the Washington Post is reporting today. We told you about Temporary Protected Status here.
WASHINGTON — More than 12,000 Haitians have applied for the chance to stay and work legally in the U.S. while their country struggles to recover from last month’s earthquake.
The applications have rolled in, even though the July 20 application deadline is months away, said Bill Wright, spokesman for Citizenship and Immigration Services, part of the Homeland Security Department.
The chance to work is critical for many of the immigrants who are hoping to help families trying to overcome the magnitude-7 earthquake that leveled parts of Haiti.
Because it is unsafe to return the illegal immigrants to Haiti, DHS said it would grant eligible immigrants temporary protected status. Successful applicants can remain and work for 18 months without fear of deportation or detention.
Estimates range from 100,000-200,000 for the number who might ultimately be eligible to stay and work in the US. What do you think the odds are that once granted TPS they will ever go home to Haiti?