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Feinstein Statement on Protected Status for Haitians

WashingtonSenate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security’s decision regarding temporary protected status for Haitians. Feinstein has written to the department in support of extending temporary protected status:

“Haiti continues to be one of the world’s poorest countries and the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti has also been rocked by a series of devastating natural disasters, including Hurricane Matthew, which left some areas completely destroyed.

“While it’s a positive step that the department extended temporary protected status to Haitians for six months, I’m concerned that Secretary Kelly indicated that it would not be extended again. There’s simply no guarantee that the situation in Haiti will improve significantly during that time.

“Haitians living in the United States should be protected from deportation until the situation in their home country stabilizes.”

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