SW News: Concerns have been raised over unrestrained violence in the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Fr. Antonio Menegon, a Camillian missionary, said he is heartbroken due to the humanitarian disaster that has struck Haiti and calls it a catastrophe.

He said that the armed gangs which are in virtual control of the country are aggressive and manage everything. The prices of essential items such as food, fuel, and medicines, have more than tripled; youth loot and burn fuel depots as well as supermarkets, churches, and other international humanitarian organizations with impunity. One hospital after another is closing for lack of diesel, electricity, food, and medicines, said the missionary, adding that life is difficult for missionaries.

Meanwhile, advocates have applauded the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants residing in the US. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension of TPS for Haitian migrants residing in the United States for an additional 18 months, from February 4 through August 3, 2024.

"We are providing much-needed humanitarian relief to Haitian nationals already present in the United States," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a press release.

"The conditions in Haiti, including socioeconomic challenges, political instability, and gang violence and crime – aggravated by environmental disaster – compelled the humanitarian relief we are providing today."

The Biden administration has so far deported at least 25,000 Haitian immigrants despite the country's deteriorating political, social, and environmental situations.
Most of these repatriations took place under Title 42, a Trump administration policy that permits the deportation of migrants without giving them the opportunity to request asylum.

It is crucial to remember that TPS will only be available to people who had been living in the US as of November 6, 2022, and who met all other qualifications, as was mentioned above. Those who seek to enter the country after this decision will not be qualified for TPS, and if they do so illegally or without a valid visa, they risk being sent home.