\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThousands of Haitians across South Florida are getting a temporary reprieve after the federal government extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for two more weeks.TPS had been set to expire Friday. Instead, the federal government announced the protections will remain in place until July 24.The extension allows Haitians covered under TPS to continue living and working legally in the United States while the legal fight over the program continues.Anxious advocates held rallies and lobbying efforts all week urging Congress to preserve protections for Haitian immigrants.”I think we’ve got 20-some senators who’ve signed the legislation now. And we’re waiting to get to 60,” said Gepsie Mettellus, retired executive director of Sant La.TPS was first granted to Haitians following the devastating 2010 earthquake.Advocates estimate about 158,000 Haitians in Florida are protected under the program, with many working in health care, hospitality and other essential industries.The latest extension comes after the U.S. Supreme Court last month cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status.Many Haitian TPS holders say they fear returning to a country plagued by gang violence and political instability. The U.S. State Department continues to advise Americans not to travel to Haiti.”Haiti is an hour and 10 minutes from here. We cannot go to Port-au-Prince,” said community member Maggie Bellabe. “I would love to go to Haiti and make it great again so I can stay home.”The Trump administration has already ended Temporary Protected Status for several other countries, including Venezuela.Unless another court order or federal action changes the timeline, the new deadline for Haitian TPS holders is July 24.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Thousands of Haitians across South Florida are getting a temporary reprieve after the federal government extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for two more weeks.<\/p>\n
TPS had been set to expire Friday. Instead, the federal government announced the protections will remain in place until July 24.<\/p>\n
The extension allows Haitians covered under TPS to continue living and working legally in the United States while the legal fight over the program continues.<\/p>\n
Anxious advocates held rallies and lobbying efforts all week urging Congress to preserve protections for Haitian immigrants.<\/p>\n
“I think we’ve got 20-some senators who’ve signed the legislation now. And we’re waiting to get to 60,” said Gepsie Mettellus, retired executive director of Sant La.<\/p>\n
TPS was first granted to Haitians following the devastating 2010 earthquake.<\/p>\n
Advocates estimate about 158,000 Haitians in Florida are protected under the program, with many working in health care, hospitality and other essential industries.<\/p>\n
The latest extension comes after the U.S. Supreme Court last month cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status.<\/p>\n
Many Haitian TPS holders say they fear returning to a country plagued by gang violence and political instability. The U.S. State Department continues to advise Americans not to travel to Haiti.<\/p>\n
“Haiti is an hour and 10 minutes from here. We cannot go to Port-au-Prince,” said community member Maggie Bellabe. “I would love to go to Haiti and make it great again so I can stay home.”<\/p>\n
The Trump administration has already ended Temporary Protected Status for several other countries, including Venezuela.<\/p>\n
Unless another court order or federal action changes the timeline, the new deadline for Haitian TPS holders is July 24.<\/p>\n
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25<\/a><\/p>\n Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n