Trainings and Clinics to Help Haitians Apply for TPS Scheduled

On January 15, 2010, the Obama administration announced that Haitians in the United States prior to the earthquake may apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would allow them to legally live and work in the United States for the next 18 months without fear of deportation. It is estimated that this program will help 100,000-200,000 Haitians currently in the United States. The designation will benefit those who currently do not have valid immigration status and those whose work permits are set to expire. With legal work permits, Haitians will be able to leave abusive workplaces to seek safer employment and can continue the flow of remittances to Haiti in a time of dire need.

UUSC has conducted several volunteer trainings and TPS clinics — where people are given, free, confidential support while filling out paperwork — in Boston, New York, and Atlanta to help Haitians living in our communities apply for this status.

As seen across the country, the turnout at TPS clinics has been low to date. While the exact cause for this is unclear, we will continue to monitor the situation and reassess the need as the deadline for filing, July 20, 2010, draws closer. 

If you have been trained by UUSC or another organization to fill out TPS paperwork and would like to volunteer, we encourage you to explore training and volunteer opportunities on the American Immigration Lawyers Association website.

TPS clinic volunteer opportunities

Orange County, Florida
The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., is working with Barry Law School, the Consulate of Haiti, American Immigration Lawyers Association — Central Florida Chapter, and the Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention to hold Haitian TPS clinics twice a month in the Orange County area. They are currently looking for volunteers and interpreters to assist with these clinics.

Contact: 

Judy J. Kuhns
Intake and Community Education Assistant/Intake Volunteer Coordinator
100 E. Robinson Street
Orlando, FL 32801
407-841-8310, ext. 3156
JJohnson@LegalAidOCBA.org

Additional dates and locations will be added as demand increases and clinics are scheduled — please check back.