Forum Praises DHS'Decision To Expedite Adoptions For Haitian Orphans

Washington, DC - Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a humanitarian parole policy for Haitian orphans eligible for adoption in the United States. The announcement follows a series of policy changes to enhance American relief to Haiti including Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haitian nationals living in the U.S. and a temporary halt in deportations. The following is a statement by Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum, a non-partisan, non-profit pro-immigrant advocacy organization in Washington.

We commend the Department of Homeland Security for its timely action to ease the suffering of Haiti's vulnerable orphans. The announced humanitarian parole policy will remove bureaucratic obstacles and red tape that stand in the way of getting these distressed children out of harm's way.

The National Immigration Forum applauds the Obama Administration's swift delivery of crucial aid to our Haitian neighbors. We strongly support the Administration's efforts to relieve the pain and suffering of the Haitian nation.

The Administration recognizes the need for providing emergency refuge to Haitian in the U.S. because of the danger they would face if they were returned to Haiti at this perilous time. The new humanitarian parole policy for Haitian orphans, the availability of Temporary Protected Status to Haitian nationals in the U.S., and the suspension of deportations to Haiti are the right decisions to help Haiti recover from this tragedy.

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