Haiti

Just 600 miles off the coast of Florida, we have the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere – the Republic of Haiti.

In recent years, Haiti has dealt with violent uprisings, the departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and floods that killed thousands of people. Sadly, many Haitians have been unable to recover from the turmoil, and the citizens remain vulnerable to poverty, poor health, and political chaos. This is why I committed to giving Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals living in the United States. TPS would allow Haitians to remain in peace and security in the U.S. while the island recovers. In 1998 the U.S. government set a precedent when it granted TPS to nationals from Central American countries affected by Hurricane Mitch, and I believe the U.S. must apply the same fairness to Haiti.

Finally, the international community and the United States must seriously begin to explore solutions for peace and security in Haiti. Respect for human rights, freedoms, and the rule of law must be established in order for Haiti to improve its impoverished state.

Click here to read my signed letter to President Bush regarding emergency relief for Haiti.