Haitian Bridge Alliance
Help Haitians Apply for Temporary Protected Status
Help people obtain legal status here and send financial help back to Haiti
Posted August 26, 2021
Background & Context
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows individuals from designated countries to stay and work in the U.S. while they are unable to return safely to the designated country. Haiti was re-designated for TPS on August 3, 2021.
Immediate Problem
Because of both natural disasters and political instability and violence following the assassination of Haiti's president this summer, many Haitians in the U.S. urgently need assistance applying for TPS. This status will provide them immediate security and also allow them to earn money and send it back to Haiti in the form of remittances. This financial support will be a critical part of rebuilding homes and businesses.
Work & Deliverables
Haitian Bridge Alliance plans to sponsor weekly clinics in San Diego to help the Haitian community apply for TPS. Over 1000 Haitian nationals have moved to San Diego since 2005. We anticipate hosting these clinics on Sunday afternoons from 12-4 Pacific time, though additional sessions may be scheduled at other times.
Lawyers will work with individual clients to help them prepare their applications. Each application should require a short time commitment, typically 1.5-2 hours. Lawyers may further choose to handle filing and post-clinic follow up if they wish, but they are not required to do so. We would prefer to work with attorneys who can attend at least 3 clinics over a 6-month period.
A Haitian Bridge staff attorney will be present at all clinics to provide support. Immigration experience, including previous volunteer experience, will be helpful but is not required.
Ability to speak Haitian Creole or French will also be helpful, but neither is required and interpretation/translation will be available.
Preparation Phase
- Complete training and orientation
- Sign up for clinic sessions
Collaboration Phase
- Attend clinic sessions
- Help individuals apply for TPS
Wrap Up
- (Optional) File applications
- (Optional) Continue to assist filer as application is processed
Haitian Bridge Alliance
Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “the Bridge”, is a grassroots community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies and provide migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA also seeks to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and build solidarity and collective movement toward policy change. We stand in solidarity with all Black immigrants fighting for liberation. Founded in August 2021 by Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) in collaboration with immigration, racial justice, and human rights organizations, such as Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center, Amnesty International USA, and CASA, CAN’s focuses on blending strategic collaborative advocacy efforts, community organizing, and campaign outreach to unmask the poor treatment of immigrants, particularly Black immigrants, in the immigration system. Our overarching mission is to secure blanket relief for Cameroonians living in the U.S, as well as those still pursuing their journey of hope and safety.
Haitian Bridge Alliance
Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “the Bridge”, is a grassroots community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies and provide migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA also seeks to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and build solidarity and collective movement toward policy change. We stand in solidarity with all Black immigrants fighting for liberation. Founded in August 2021 by Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) in collaboration with immigration, racial justice, and human rights organizations, such as Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center, Amnesty International USA, and CASA, CAN’s focuses on blending strategic collaborative advocacy efforts, community organizing, and campaign outreach to unmask the poor treatment of immigrants, particularly Black immigrants, in the immigration system. Our overarching mission is to secure blanket relief for Cameroonians living in the U.S, as well as those still pursuing their journey of hope and safety.