Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the U.S. government announced the availability of Temporary Protected Status to undocumented Haitian nationals living in the U.S. On January 28th, the NY City Bar Justice Center hosted the first large free legal clinic for Haitian New Yorkers applying for Temporary Protected Status. The evening clinic was co-sponsored by the American Immigration Lawyers Association's New York City Chapter and the New York City Bar Committee on Immigration and Nationality Law. Kiera LoBreglio, immigration attorney and Fragomen Fellow to the Justice Center helped to organize the event in which over 150 volunteer lawyers, interpreters, and notaries were able to assist 83 clients.
The Justice Center may consider hosting another clinic before the 180-day window closes on TPS applications.
“At this point, we don’t know what will happen at the end of the 18-month TPS period,” said Kiera. “But, if someone meets all the qualifications for TPS, applying for and securing status can open up a lot of opportunities, like work authorization.” However, as Kiera notes, deciding to apply is a complex process, with many factors at play. “[T]he next few months will show us whether the temporary protected status will truly be utilized by New York’s Haitian community or not.”
Kiera is currently serving as the Fragomen Fellow at the New York City Bar Justice Center for one year, where she helps coordinate and administer various pro bono initiatives.
For more information about this initiative, please read the March 2010 edition of the 44th Street Notes.