President Bachelet: Earthquake Unparalleled in Chilean History | News | English

President Bachelet: Earthquake Unparalleled in Chilean History News English

Another tremendous earthquake - this time in Chile! Although Chile has far greater internal resources (economically and politically) to deal with this catastrophe than Haiti did little more than a month ago... they will still need assistance from the international community to recover from what appears to be one of the strongest earthquakes in decades as well as an earthquake induced Tsunami!

see the Voice of America story by clicking on the link.

Or click on this link to see the BBC news photo story on the devastation:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8541861.stm

Temporary Protected Status Granted for Haitian Nationals

OK, now we're getting somewhere...click on the title to go to the press release from DHS. Haitians already in the United States as of January 12, 2010 (and not one day later) may register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). People of Haiti seeking refuge are still not treated as well as people from Cuba coming to the United States (but then who is?). Here is a quote from the press release which typifies the limits of our compassion for Haitians who wish to come to the U.S.

"It is important to note that TPS will apply only to those individuals who were in the United States as of January 12, 2010. Those who attempt to travel to the United States after January 12, 2010 will not be eligible for TPS and will be repatriated."

Haiti Earthquake - trouble continues

From CS Monitor Online:

Haiti earthquake relief workers say they are hampered by quake's devastation. All three of Medecins sans Frontieres' (MSF) centers in Haiti were crushed. Workers couldn't drive around because Haitians were sleeping on the roads. But the international airport is now open for aid flights.

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If you are reading this from New Hampshire you can contact your Congressperson or Senator at the following links to ask them to urge President Obama and Secretary Napolitano to implement Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians currently in the US.

Gregg, Judd - (R - NH) Class III
201 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324

Web Form:
gregg.senate.gov/contact/

Shaheen, Jeanne - (D - NH) Class II
520 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2841

Web Form:
shaheen.senate.gov/contact/

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http://www.shea-porter.house.gov/
Carol Shea Porter (1st CD)

http://hodes.house.gov/
Paul Hodes (2nd CD)

DHS: Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano

DHS: Statement by HomRelease Date: January 13, 2010

Release Date: January 13, 2010
For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryContact: 202-282-8010
"The entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends its sympathy for the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following last night's earthquake--a disaster that has called the world to action in response. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are leading DHS actions to support the larger assistance effort. Several Coast Guard cutters and aircraft have mobilized and are on the ground to assist the humanitarian effort as needed. FEMA has been in close contact with the State Department and USAID, the lead U.S. federal response agencies, and stands ready to provide assistance as requested. I am being kept closely apprised of the developing situation, and the Department will continue to support the people of Haiti and others affected by this tragedy. I encourage the American people to donate what funds they can afford to disaster relief organizations such as the American Red Cross to allow these voluntary groups to provide goods and services to disaster survivors as quickly as possible."
On background:
The Coast Guard Cutter Forward arrived off Port Au Prince this morning and was the first U.S. asset on the scene. The cutter is equipped with a helicopter flight deck, satellite communications equipment, and the ability to provide coordination to military aircraft in the area. The Coast Guard cutter Mohawk is scheduled to arrive this afternoon. Two Coast Guard C-130 airplanes are flying the coast of Western Haiti this morning doing damage assessments and searching for people in need of assistance. Two Coast Guard helicopters are also forward deployed in the area to provide rescue or other assistance.



RAD~THIS RESPONSE WHILE IMPORTANT IS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
The American Immigration Lawyers Association Leadership Blog has this to say about responding to the humanitarian tragedy taking place in Haiti -

"The reality is that failure to move forward with TPS Designation for Haiti now will be considered by many to be racist. Honduras has had TPS for YEARS since the one Hurricane which devastated that country. El Salvador has enjoyed such designation for numerous years as well since the earthquakes in that country. Yet, Haiti, which appears to be at the center of Mother Nature's wrath for the last 18 months, remains forsaken, its nationals abandoned. "

I would point out that the United States never granted TPS to Indonesian Nationals while they have been experiencing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and other natural disasters as well as other issues that deserved consideration.... Indonesia, however, is a much larger country than Haiti with more resources and a greater population to mount efforts to aid its people and rebuild. Haiti does not have the ability to recover from this on its own, so the notion that the USA will provide humanitarian and logistical assistance is a good one. However, we as a country - apparently are going to be content to deport individuals and families back to this nightmare scenario while pledging how concerned we are for their welfare!

Send an Email to President Obama on this issue: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Nationals in the USA

Haiti has suffered enormous damage from hurricanes in 2008 and has now been devastated by a large earthquake that may have left hundreds of thousands of people without shelter.  The United States cannot in good conscience return Haitian Nationals to their country in its current state of emergency.

Please call your Congressperson and ask them to request that Secretary of DHS Janet Napolitano designate Haitian Nationals for TPS. You can also visit this page to see the contact information for the Department of Homeland Security:

http://www.dhs.gov/xutil/contactus.shtm

Do it today it won't take long...but it could save lives

Death toll rising after Indonesia earthquake

I have had the privilege of representing many Indonesian clients over
the years.  I certainly hope that none have lost any family or friends in the recent earthquake off the coast of Sumatra.

Here is a link to a story from the Voice of America news service.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-01-voa27.cfm