The Biden administration announced it would extend deportation protections and work permits for 54,000 Haitian immigrants living in the United States. According to CBS News, the extended protections for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status will allow thousands of eligible Haitians to request relief.  

Alejandro Mayorkas, the United States Homeland Security secretary, said the TPS designation would be extended by 18 months. This will allow current recipients to renew the protections that the Trump administration attempted to end. The program is also open to Haitian immigrants who arrived in the United States and applied by May 21, 2021.  

“Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayorkas said. “After careful consideration, we determined that we must do what we can to support Haitian nationals in the United States, until conditions in Haiti improve so they may safely return home.”  

RELATED: Haiti among poorest countries still waiting for COVID-19 vaccines 

According to the Associated Press, Haiti’s government has imposed a curfew and other restrictions as part of an eight-day “health emergency” meant to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated the country as a Level 3 with a “High Level of COVID-19.”