UPDATE 5-22-2017 12:45 p.m.
Haitian immigrants enrolled in the Temporary Protected Status program have been granted an extension of six months, Florida Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson’s office announced Monday afternoon.
Wilson told the Miami Herald, “We just can’t deport people back to those conditions. Tent cities still remain from the earthquake.”
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Congregated outside of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Building at 4451 NW 31st Ave. in Oakland Park, protesters urged the Department of Homeland Security to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitians who fled their country after the deadly 2010 earthquake.
TPS was granted by the Obama administration in the wake of the earthquake, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the Caribbean country. It allows Haitians to live and work freely in the U.S.
Supporters say the Haitian community is vital to South Florida because of its contributions to the economy and diverse culture.