In a move aimed at addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday that it will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to an additional 300,000 Haitian nationals. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorka cited the violence, insecurity, and limited access to essential resources in several regions of Haiti as the reasons for this decision.

The redesignation of Haiti for TPS will provide eligible Haitian immigrants, including those residing in the United States illegally, with protection from deportation and work authorization for a period of 18 months, until February 2026. To qualify for TPS, individuals must have been present in the U.S. as of June 3.

This latest redesignation is expected to enable an estimated 309,000 additional Haitian nationals to apply for TPS, in addition to those who were already covered. TPS is granted to nationals from countries considered unsafe due to armed ongoing conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions.

Haiti, particularly susceptible to flooding, mudslides, storms, and earthquakes, has been grappling with overlapping humanitarian challenges. Many Haitians face violence, insecurity, and limited access to vital resources such as safety, healthcare, food, and water. Responding to these urgent needs, DHS has emphasized its responsibility to fulfill the core objective of the TPS law.

With the re-designation of Haiti, there are now 16 countries designated for TPS, including Venezuela, Ukraine, Honduras, El Salvador, and Afghanistan. Last year, Venezuela's TPS was re-designated, providing protection for over 470,000 Venezuelan nationals.

The use of TPS has often faced criticism from Republicans and immigration hawks who argue that it encourages illegal immigration from these countries. Critics claim that people anticipate future redesignations and enter the U.S. with the hope of being granted TPS status and work authorization.

In Fiscal Year 2023, there were 163,781 encounters with Haitian nationals at the border, a number that has already been surpassed in Fiscal Year 2024. The Biden administration has also implemented a parole program, allowing 30,000 Haitian nationals into the country each month, as part of the parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV).

The border crisis has become a major political issue leading up to the November elections. Republicans attribute the crisis to border policies implemented by the Biden administration, while the administration argues that it requires more funding and reforms from Congress, blaming Republican obstruction.

To tackle the crisis, the Biden administration has implemented measures like limiting asylum applications and granting "parole in place" for certain spouses of U.S. citizens. The administration claims that encounters at the border have dropped by 40% since the implementation of these measures. However, former President Trump criticized President Biden on Thursday for his handling of the crisis, alleging that it led to the loss of American lives and created a dire situation at the border.

The announcement to extend TPS to an additional 300,000 Haitian nationals aligns with the Biden administration's commitment to address the humanitarian crisis while navigating the complex immigration landscape.