A Message from Director Mayorkas
Our hearts are with you, the people of Haiti. The tragedy you have endured, the losses you have suffered, and the uncertainties you are facing affect us deeply.
The feelings we share with you are defining our actions. Today we launch this blog to provide you with one more way that you can learn about our Temporary Protected Status program. One section of our website, http://www.uscis.gov/, is devoted to the TPS program and the information there can be found in English, French, and Creole. Our personnel are working our toll-free phone lines from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The number is 1-800-375-5283. We will continue to do everything we can.
On this blog, please ask us questions, raise issues, and express your concerns. We are here to help you in this time of great need.
Our hearts are with you.
Alejandro Mayorkas
Director
Labels: Director's Posts, Haiti, TPS
posted by USCIS Blog Team @ 1:21 PM
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76 Comments:
Hello Sir,
Will we ever see again more EB3 cases approved than Eb2 cases. So slow in approving employment based cases.
Director Mayorkas,
Thank you for starting The Beacon, and for your humanitarian concern for Haitians residing in the U.S.
The USCIS Blog will help to insure a freer exchange of ideas between the agency and the public which it serves.
Carl Shusterman
Immigration Attorney
what about the central americans with TPS? Are your hearts still with them?
I have siblings in Haiti that we have no words on how they are doing. Mother is here legally, but is not a US citizen. Phone lines are not working. What can we do to reach our loved ones and posibibly bring them here care for them
Hello Sir,
What are you going to do with the people allowed to come to the US to acompany US citizen minors? Why don't these people get TPS. They are real victims and need of humanitarian parole.
Why can't the thousands of American families willing to open their homes and hearts to these dying orphans be allowed to serve as foster homes, with all appropriate supervision and background checks at the cost to the family who is willing to support the orphans. No use of government resources or programs is necessary, there is plenty of willing US citizens capable of temporarily supporting these orphans until formal adoptions or reunification with their families can be completed.
hello Mr.Mayorkas
if there any program fou U.S. citizens who have immediate family members in haiti
Hi!
There are a lot of rumors in Haiti as well as here in America about the US giving papers to everyone who needs/wants it. One of the other rumors is that if you are a US Citizen you will be allowed to petition 2 of your family members. Are these only rumors? is there anything similar to them to help US Citizen who have family members affected by this tragedy? Some of us need to be clear with what's going on, this is the reason why the Ambassy and the Airport in PAP are crowded, peple with no papers are blocking others who have them. I think if here is a conference about it here and in Haiti, it will help a lot of people at this point.
Who does the Humanitarian Parole work for? I am a US citizen and I have siblings affected by this who have nowhere to live, can i petition for them under the Humanitarian Parole to get a visa for the time beeing unitil things calm down and we are able to fix our house?
What should those haitiens with a couple of misdemeanors do? Stay here illegally or go back to Haiti? They are haitians too and have plenty family in destress.
Once an haitian person is not under warrant and he is free,having a family here and he is illegal immigrant.TPS should be his salvation, so he can work and help his family here and Haiti.
Sir,
Lets help the Haitians by teaching them the skills to rebuild their country. Take them home with contractors and engineers, pay them for their work, If interested in college credits, an internship could be given for nursing or counselors. their are endless possibilities, Let.s begin to think outside the box.
Be a HERO and submit this new idea.
Nancy King
Hello Mr. Mayorkas
please help us bring our family to a save place. i'm an U.S. citizen. My family is homeless, hungry,traumatized.I'm proud to be an American. please let me help them by petition for them under the humanitarian laws. Thank you for your time and consideration.
An U.S. citizen crying for help
let us help. by petition for them
To whom it may concern,
We have a brothe in Haiti , he is married has 2 children , Now they are homeless due to the devatation on 1/12/10. How could we bring him here quckly . Hos business has been destryed he has no way of earning a living in Haiti.
What can we do?
Regards,
I am a U.S. citizen. My sister and her two children are in dyer situation. I want to petition for them, but I am afraid the process may take too long. Will you make an exception for the people to expedite this process for siblings?
My mother is a US citizen, she filed for my adult brother and the case was approved more than a year ago. Now he is traumatized by the this event and needs medical attention, Lives on the street with my older brother.Is there a way to expedite his case.HELP my Mom she is suffering a lot. THANKS
It's great to see the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) take so many steps to assist Haiti in this time of crisis. From Temporary Protected Status to the new parole policy for children being adopted by American families, DHS should be commended for its proactive and humanitarian action.
Peter F. Asaad, Esq.
Immigration Solutions Group, PLLC
good afternoon
I'd like to know if there's any program for someone who has a case pending . i have a case pending for my father in Haiti. but his house was collapsed and he's leaving in the streets which is not safe.. please let me know if i can get some kinda paper to go get him... he has been approved...
thank you
datboijay05@gmail.com
Director Mayorkas,
Many thanks for starting the USCIS blog. It will help in improved communication between the Service, Attorneys, and Immigrants.
The outpouring of support that the American people and others are providing to the Haitian people is overwhelmed. On behalf of all the Haitians, I am wholeheartedly thankful and grateful. I am also hoping that the immigration agents and representatives will treat the Haitians who are seeking this status will dignity and respect.
Are there any visas being issued for Haitians that are sponsored by an American
I am a US Citizen, My mother is here, but not a US Citizen, one of my brothers is. I also have two other brothers and one sister who are not Citizen, but, longtime registered Aliens, a total of six of us in the USA including mother sons and daughter. What can we do to help our two brothers with our nephews/nieces and inlaws as evacuees of this disaster for the period of 18 months? They become homeless, jobless, etc. ..., we are able to feed them all for that time. Is there any help?
There are many US tax payers who have visas pending, for wives, children and other family members, fiancee, and loved ones, whom we are all worried about. Are we going to have to wait on a flood of Haitian cases before our cases will be processed? I have a feeling this blog will never be reviewed or comments answered.
With the instructions on this page to find the Creole and French languages, couldn't these instructions be listed also in French and Creole?
why can't the haitian diaspora adopt children from haiti as well? I know many haitians who are interested in adopting children from haiti what can they do?
I started the adoption process with a lawyer who is now dead and the paperworks along with the children birth certificates are also distroy. what can I do to get those two girls here. they are my nieces and they have been living on the street since the earthquake. can you help
@ Anonymous (January 22, 2010 6:50:00 PM EST)
Thanks for your interest in helping. Adopting a child from another country is often a complicated journey. We have posted some information here to explain the process and to help families make informed decisions.
While we are rightfully focused on rescue and recovery, it is important to gather a team of intellectuals from academia, skilled professionals, and other craftsmen from various countries, such as Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, USA, France, Thailand, Taiwan, etc. These experts would not only help the Haitian government formulate a long term plan for rebuilding, but also help draft policies that Haiti sorely needs. A number of areas, such as urban planning, border control, immigration control/dual nationality, fiscal planning, criminal justice, land reform, agrarian reform, either have antiquated policies or none at all. I am glad TPS is granted to Haitian nationals, but the Obama administration should lead a coalition to address the aforementioned issues, otherwise we will be putting a very expensive band aid on a gangrene and send the patient to status quo ante.
Paul Pierre, BPA, MS
San Diego, CA
Sir,
we are very thankful for all that every single country and American people have done for haiti with their help and their thoughts.
we all wish that petition for sibblings shouldn't take 10 years anymore. what about half the time or less. USCIS should work something out.
for us citizens who have brothers and sisters they are applying for in Haiti.
will it be 10 years for them to get a visa number? or is there a special program
First, thank you, Director Mayorkas for starting The Beacon!
I am a US Citizen engaged to a Haitian man (a Haitian Citizen) living in Haiti. I had planned to submit my K-1 petition after my return from Haiti this February. My trip has been cancelled and I have found out that my fiance's Haitian passport was lost in the earthquake. He had submitted an expired passport in preparation for our K-1 application. His passport was in the government building when the earthquake hit. Now it's gone.
How can I get him out of Haiti? Is it as hopeless as we think?
I am a US citizen. I lost my daughter during the earthquake,leaving a 12 year old son behing. How can I get my grandson to come and live with me? He has no one else to provide for him and I am the next of kin.
SC
Hello Sir,
Like most of us on this blog; I too have siblings in Haiti and would love to bring them here for the time being. I've already filed Humanitarian Parole for them a week ago today and I have not heard anything yet. Would you guys please, please give Humanitarian Parole to those who have U.S. citizens family members who are willing to provide for them? We just need some help, please help us help them.
God bless you and God bless the United States of America!
my father had filed the paper works for my siblings who are in haiti. he died can I as us citizen continue the process to get them out of the street in haiti or do I have to start all over again. I found one of the receipt daddy had along with his citizenship application with the kids name. he was a us citizen when he died. please let me know what I can do to continue the process.
also
My husband lost his brother can he sponcer for the brother's wife with her children. or can we apply for humanitarian papole for them? we just want to get these people off the street they do not have anyplace to go.
Mr. Alejandro Mayorkas,
I am a woman Haitian Citizen. I arrived in USA with my family on January 21th via US Air Force with my family because my daughter was a US Citizen. Two years ago, my mother filed a Immigrant Petition for me and my family and the petition has been approved in the same year. Now I am in USA, I went to the immigration office, they asked me to wait 7 years before having a visa available for us. Now, I cannot work, I cannot do anything and now it is very impossible to go back in Haiti because our house has been damage and we lost everything. What should we do? Is the US government going to take a decision for Haitians who arrived after the earthquake from Haiti and for the aliens that their parents have filed an Immigration petition that has been approved
Thanks...
God bless America
Good day Mr. Mayorkas,
Iam a Haitian/American woman who has been living in the US for almost 40 years. I would like to know if what I heard is true that a US citizen can request humanitarian parole status for a family member (first or second cousin)? I searched every corner of the USCIS website and could not find an answer to my question. Many of my family members are suffering in Port-au-Prince as a result of the earthquake, and it would be a great help if I could bring some of them to the US even temporarily.
Thank you for your assistance.
Director Mayorkas,
Thank you for starting The Beacon, and for your humanitarian concern for Haitians residing in the U.S. Would you please tell me for us citizens who have brothers and sisters they are applying for in Haiti. Will it be 10 years for them to get a visa number?
Sir,
I feel it so important now that help the Haitians and teaching them the best ways and skills to start to rebuild their life.They should now possibly be taken back to there home alnd with skilled trades and trades men to retain them within their homeland.The saying catch a man a fish and you feed him for a day or teach a man to fish and you feed him for a life time seems to come in here.
Director Mayorkas:
As an eligible Haitian citizen, I concurrently applied for Temporary Protected Status (I821) and Employment Authorization (I765) approximately three weeks ago. I have only received two receipt notices so far: one receipt notice for my TPS application and one receipt notice for my Employment Authorization application. Using the assigned case number on each receipt, I just went and checked my status online for each case. Since last week, the status of my I-821 (TPS) has been listed as Acceptance with the following information: "On February… , 2010, your fingerprint fee was accepted and we have mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case [However, I have only received a receipt notice as of today]. Please follow any instructions on this notice. Your case is being processed at our … SERVICE CENTER location. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you.... “ Whereas, my case status for I725 (Employment Authorization) has been listed since last week as "Initial Review" with the following information: “On February …, 2010, we received this I765 APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case [However, I have only received a receipt notice as of today from the processing center]. Please follow any instructions on this notice. This case is being processed at our … SERVICE CENTER location. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. ..During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators…If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131, I-130 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or biometrics taken [However, I have only received a receipt notice as of today from the processing center—no fingerprints_biometrics appointment letter yet]. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment.”
How will I know from the online Check Status page that the USCIS processing center has e-mailed me the fingerprints_biometric appointment letter? Other TPS and Employment Authorization applicants and I would be grateful if USCIS could post such time-sensitive critical information on the Check Status page . (A missed fingerprints_biometrics appointment may result in a denial, according to TPS-related information posted on the USCIS' website.)
Director Mayorkas, It seems that a large part of Chile is distressed due to several earthquakes. It seems fair to issue TPS benefits to Chileans. Steven Roby
Why does USCIS not have any SES male hispanics?
Has any consideration been given for a Chilean TPS?
If not, can it be said that USCIS is fair by not doing a TPS for Chile and doing one for Haiti?
USCIS Personnel in and/or going to Transformation unit need to transform themselves before they can do any transforming for USCIS. What is USCIS doing to get fresh eyes and new ideas for transforming itself? Is transforming just about technology and not personnel?
funny, it's easier to get a greencard if you're a refugee, or on a protected status than if you're a professional waiting your turn to get a greencard. these poor people come in the country and would need help and be a burden to the US economy. taxpayers money would need to be use to fund this. but working professionals who pay taxes and contributing to the US economy don't get any preferencial treatment. They deserve to be treated fairly and not let them suffer for waiting too long for a piece of card.
I am not against US giving help to people of the world that are in need. But we, working professionals, highly trained foreign workers, who are contributing to the US economy need to be helped too. unburden us from uncertainties of when can we get our greencards, so we can finally have peace of mind once we get our greencard, and go forward from then on and become more productive residents of this great country.
Hi there.
I am just outraged to see how many people from Haiti are saving their asses and to bring their familes. Nothing against tham, I'm like many others from the US arrived here for a better life & prosperity. But I'm not willing to say: Oh por people from Haiti and so on. No way, I'm a alien in the US & trying to get my Green Card to, but on legal way. US Immigration always been to blame on, for its soft hand for illegals. We the legal people are who paying, punished for being a law obaiding person, when the illigals are the one who USCIS encourage them to do more for not being legal. Till last year of 2009 i had a faith in the USCIS, when was just about to get my Green Card, and then I saw my number thrown back to the front line where I started 10 years ago. Guess when I will be 80 years old I will get my Green Card and by a 100 years old I will become a US Citizen. By then I don't need that when I will not be alive. Your predecessor few years ago was telling in the same place that the EAD's will be issued for 2 years validity, what happened to that? Did the wolf swallwed it? Or was just a lie coming out from a government servant paid from tax payers money? Why I have to wait & wait and again wait for a number to come up on the Visa Buletin? Why the numbers on Emplyed Base are not moving for 7-10 month in row? How many people should get old enough to wait to get their Green Cards? Or the US Immigration got more money in the pocket to pay to those people their pensions when they got old already when they will get something from USCIS. I want to work when I'm young and make my retirment, to be able to enjoy the life now, not then, because a Then it might not be for any of us.In 2007 USCIS issued two visa buletins in one month, first saying no Green Cards are avialable, and a week later they found about 250.000 Green Cards, because people with Visa Employmen base got on the streets and marched showing their disbelief in all the words what USCIS had to say. Since nothing changed, but the fees went up already6 times since 2000. How ebough is Enough? Wake up people!
It is a terrible thing that happen in Haiti, I have been to Mexico and seen people living in houses made of pallets. Been to Philippines and saw people living under tin sheds. Not just a few but millions. I have talked to people that have traveled to other nations that said the same thing about them. Why must we feel we have and obligation to Haiti and not to the hundreds of millions world wide that suffer so much. We must help, but not by bring thousands to US soil. We have thousands of building contractors out of work pay them to go there and help rebuild the country
And there is a deeper fear — a political fear. With President Aristide, the man the U.S. considers too radical for its tastes, anxious to return, there is fear that a possible revolt against the lack of help could turn angry and political. Hillary Clinton keeps telling the Haitians that we are their friends — but many doubt it. They know that Aristide’s Lavalas party is the most popular in Haiti and wants a more profound transformation than the U.S. wants to allow. It had been banned from taking part in scheduled elections next month, that are likely to be canceled now. Haiti’s president Preval is weak and dependent on U.S. largesse.
There is a tragic triage underway in Haiti thanks to screw-ups on the part of the US and western response, and in part because of the objectively tough conditions in Haiti that blocked access and made the delivery of food, water and services difficult. But the planners should have known that!
I-601 Waiver Application Timescales
Hi
I have been monitoring the USCIS I-601 Status Update PDF's since October 2009 as I am going through this process myself, however during the monitoring of these updates I have compiled a spreadsheet to make it easier for all involved to get a better idea of timescales and status than what the USCIS publish.
But if you look at the data collected over this 8 month period, you will find it interesting reading, because there are periods of time when nothing happens and other periods when they seem to be trying to beat a deadline.
The spreadsheet can be found here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5362871/Waiver%20Timescale%20I-601.xls
Just copy this link in to your web browser and it will open up..
What this shows me is the following:
1 - An average of only 1.2 cases completed per week.
2 - End of March must be important as several updates were issued before April began.
3 - Updates are sometimes issued with the following days date.
4 - Lots of periods when no cases get completed.
5 - Updates are not regular
6 - In the last 38 days only 2 cases completed
7 - The longest period without any completions was between 24th Nov - 7th Feb which was 78 days.
8 - Some cases are reaching way beyond the 15 weeks stated with no communication regarding delays to the applicant.
If I was running a department with the sort of figures that I have pulled from this spreadsheet, heads would roll, because how can you go so long without completing cases? without any transparency the applicants are blind as to what is happening and when somthing is going to happen.
Can anyone see what is going on, as we have no way to contact this department, no phone numbers are published or email addresses for this process to get any form of information regarding the status of each application.
Thank you
I applied for work authorization and TPS in February 2010 . I received a notice in May 1st that USCIS accepted my biometric fees and i got a appointment to take my biometric . I went to the appointment in April 9th when i was scheduled and like less than a week later , i received my authorization work card . However, since then i have not received anything about my TPS aplication , i really do not know how long will it take for me to receive a decision or answer about my TPS aplication ? How long does it usually take to process it , Is it a possibility that USCIS lost my TPS application or is it usually a lengty process. They say this process thake about 3 months but i am just worried that i am not going to get a answer . should i call or keep waiting ?
Thanks
I as well commend The Department of Homeland Security for keeping the lines of communications open and answering questions.
One quick question:
Who or what agency would I need to contact if I would like to organize a round up of Medical Instruments and Medical Supplies that could be donated to the medical teams working in Haiti?
I look forward to your feedback!
Hello Mr.Mayorkas,
Thanks for the post.
Well said. We also extend our sympathy to the people of Haiti.
Thanks for the post Alejandro, this is very important information.
I find it really sad that all the money donated does not seem to be getting to the poor people who need it. Corruption is taking the money! How sad is this world we live in...
Thanks for the post and making me realize what haiti people had to go through. If you are aware 10.8 Million people have been effected by recent floods in Pakistan. People need serious help
It's really unfortunate to know that donations are not getting to the people that deserves to get it. Don't know how we can stop corruption.
Just simply can't imagine the logistics involved with helping all of these people. What an amazing undertaking, no wonder they're employing the use of biometrics, as a previous commenter mentioned above, to try to iron all this out. All the very best wishes!
Has any consideration been given for a Chilean TPS?
If not, can it be said that USCIS is fair by not doing a TPS for Chile and doing one for Haiti?
Mr. Mayorkas,
it's great that you are helping them!
Wish you great luck!!
I am delighted with it. Well done! I am gratified that
Mayorkas have shared this important news with us. It is being required to to expand educator’s skill. Thanks!
Once an haitian person is not under warrant and he is free,having a family here and he is illegal immigrant.TPS should be his salvation, so he can work and help his family here and Haiti.
Thanks for the post and making me realize what haiti people had to go through. If you are aware 10.8 Million people have been effected by recent floods in Pakistan. People need serious help
Is it true that a US citizen can request humanitarian parole status for a family member - 1st or 2nd cousin? Look forward to your feedback!
We as good citizens would have to help each other. I can only help with prayer. Thank you for sharing this article. ~ Health
I've always believed that if you are in a position to give aid to someone in need, then do it. This would include giving the tools and the knowledge that is needed for that person or country to help themselves build a better life.
thanks for sharing this,i hope by launching the blog that provide one more way that can learn about the temporary protected status program.it surely help...
The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is something beyond our thought process in North America. What we take for complete granted and often without shame, complain about is completely out of reach for most Haitians. Now to add insult to injury, it appears a lot of the money promised by western government and organizations has not yet been delivered. The people of Haiti deserve better from all of us.
Who does the Humanitarian Parole work for?
By providing Temporary Protected Status program will help those who need our assistant. Specially those from Haiti.
Thanks for a helping hand. Haiti need us now and after the disaster happen to them. TPS program makes a big step for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
Director Mayorkas: Thank you to you and your staff for all that you guys are doing for Haiti. Please keep up the efforts and don't let them be forgotten. We appreciate it more than you know.
More help would get to these people if traveling in and out of the United States by US Citizens was not such a hassle.
Similarly, when it comes to adopting a child from one of these areas, it should not require one quit his job so he can deal with paperwork full time.
Our best for the people of Haiti.
I really welcome your endeavor behind this blog. You have successfully generalized the topic. It has made it easy for me to comprehend. I scroll through it almost every day. And thanks for updating regularly.
Best regards,
wasteking
This is no doubt a great way to make the agency more accessible, transparent, and "human". Great idea Director Mayorkis. Perhaps a little more on "DACA" would be appreciated (sure you've fielded many questions about it since the program went live).
Thanks.
Haiti and New Orleans (aka Katrina) - such large complex issues with no simple or quick fix solution - it's a long road ahead even still. Our hearts are with you.
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