Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State, has just issued a news release announcing that Haiti's orphans will be relocated, at least temporarily, in the United States.“We are committed to doing everything we can to help reunite families in Haiti during this very difficult time,” said Secretary Napolitano. “While we remain focused on family reunification in Haiti, authorizing the use of humanitarian parole for orphans who are eligible for adoption in the United States will allow them to receive the care they need here.”
Today’s announcement expands the humanitarian relief that the U.S. Government is extending to Haitians in response to the devastation caused by the earthquake. Last week, Secretary Napolitano announced the designation of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals who were physically present in the United States as of Jan. 12, 2010—allowing eligible Haitian nationals to continue living and working in the United States for the next 18 months. Those who attempt to travel to the United States after Jan. 12, 2010 will not be eligible for TPS and will be repatriated.
41 comments:
Temporarily . . . righhhhht. If Haitian orphans are coming to the US temporarily are they being allocated for adoption for US families. If so, then they would, presumably, not returning to their homeland.
Are these orphans as a result of the earthquake? If so, how can we be sure that their natural parents are not missing, and perhaps looking for their children?
So many couples in the US would like to adopt Children. I hope there is a streamlining of the process for those families who wish to take in the victims of this tragedy. It would be what a Christian nation would do.
According to the news release, this policy will be "applied on a case-by-case basis to the following children:
"Children who have been legally confirmed as orphans eligible for intercountry adoption by the Government of Haiti and are being adopted by U.S. citizens.
"Children who have been previously identified by an adoption service provider or facilitator as eligible for intercountry adoption and have been matched to U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents."
"It would be what a Christian nation would do."
I agree this is what we should do, Jacob, but Christianity has no stranglehold on generosity, self-sacrifice or compassion. I've often said the most Christian people I know tend to be Jewish.
I believe this is STILL ON TOPIC:
They can say what they want about A-town and call us residents every name in the book but what they can't say is that we are UNCARING.
Allentown, PA is having not one, but TWO fundraisers for the victims in Haiti, back to back ! If you are unable to attend either of these events, please do what you can in order to help those in need, at this very moment.
AID BENEFIT FOR HAITI on JANUARY 28, 2010
COME OUT AND SEE REDLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT (www.thisisred.net) AND OTHER GREAT ACTS AND, SIMULTANEOUSLY, SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE ENDURING THE CATASTROPHIC SITUATION THAT IS OCCURRING IN HAITI.
CROCODILE ROCK HAS PLEDGED THAT 100% OF ALL MONIES WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT THE HAITIAN TRAGEDY.
TICKETS FOR THE EVENT ARE ONLY $10.00 !
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TICKETS, CONTACT: 484 619 6541
BENEFIT 4 HAITI IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY on January 29, 2010
This GREAT event will be held at Pitchers Sports Bar and Grill and is being sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Music Awards 12, Women In Art in PA, and The Lehigh Valley Music Conference
There is ONLY a $10.00 donation at the door to raise money for the people of HAITI.
5 OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES BY:
REDLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT / PAULA BRION/SHE SAID SUNDAY/
JORDAN WHITE / BIG BLOCK
4 hours of MUSIC 4 the CAUSE ! SHOW YOUR SUPPORT...Bring your friends AND SUPPORT HAITI ! Hearing great music and coming together as a community, which is a PERFECT COMBINATION !
lehighvalleymusicawards.org
www.lvmusicawards.org
www.wix.com/blurbmedia/lvmc
wiaipa.org
gloria11355@gmail.com
SEE YOU THERE!!!!
ALFONSO TODD
www.prolifickmag.com
Alfonso, I was considering doing a post about this closer to the event, but have a question. How much of the money is going directly for relief, and how much is going for overhead?
They can live with the Mexicans!!
They are children.
We need to stop taking care of everyone else kids and worry about our own.
Bernie,
Fully agree and I agree they are children and hopefully we are able to provide good homes for them here with good families. Such a tragedy.
And do we do that by ignoring other children in need? What lesson is in that?
Bernie, I was told by both parties ALL or a majority of money collected was going to the people in need in Haiti. These are NOT my events, but I believe the individuals who are hosting them will stand by their word.
Alfonso Todd
www.prolifickmag.com
Send them to George W. Bush's restricted gated community...I think his time is better spent taking care of orphans than working at a hardware store.
I can't believe some of the things people say... People, it's simple - Do whatever is necessary to help children.
I can't believe I felt I had to say that. Sometimes reading posts can be depressing.
The Banker
http://www.prophecyfilm.com/videos.htm
http://www.prophecyfilm.com/videos.htm
There are plenty of homeless and parent less children here that are being neglected. I feel as though they should be our priority. I never said to turn our backs, but should it take a tragedy like this to pay attention to children Haitian or not? Again there are plenty of American children that are neglected earthquake or not!!
You are certainly right about the need right here. But I don't see how that should exclude helping the children of a disaster somewere else.
The point is it is only a problem when something happens on a large scale. Why is it anymore important now than before the quake?
For a country so strapped for cash we sure aren't afraid to offer it to everyone. How many other countries are stepping up?
AdoptUSKids.Org
The Book of Leviticus tells us to welcome the stranger into our land. We can presume that the reason for this is because God calls us to live in relation with other humans out of generousity and compassion. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we should only do so when there aren't American orphans that need to be adopted first.
Which is why we now have to "Press 1 for English" in this wonderful country of ours we call AMERICA!!!!!
......now we will have a whole generation of French speaking people to go along with the others that don't speak English. Gotta love it.
Last week, I was early for a LC Comm'r meeting and stopped at the Dunkin' Donuts on 7th for coffee. Aas I sat there, I heard English, Arabic, Spanish and Hindi being spoken. I thought to myself that this diversity is what makes this country great. I guess some of us have different reactions.
In that part of town I would guess it was mostly Spanish you heard.
I am sure they will receive free health care also?
Some of these comments are sickening. I find it remarkable that most Americans are upset that we can't provide more help faster.
The fact is that we as American can not, and should not have to help everyone else. I don't hear of other countries stepping up. Maybe that is why we have so many problems in the US. We are worried about others instead of taking care of problems here at home. If you want to help someone, the next time you walk past the homeless person in your city throw them a few bucks. Give them some food or a blanket. That is where our focus should be. I feel bad for what happened over there, but it is not up to us to rush to the aid of others with so many problems here.
i remember very clearly that other countries came to our assistance in new orleans. I also remember in floods along the mississippi countries came to our aid.
do we forget these things some times? do we really feel so compelled to demand repayment for generousity?
Famine, disease and disaster do not know boundaries. only the powerful, who wish to hoard their power, are concerned with boundaries.
What happens when we, the United States, have nothing left to give?
Can't happen?
Sure it can. Keep on printing and spending. You'll see...
So Ironpig, you make the heartless attempt to deprive orphans of help b/c you don't like the policies in Washington? The Tinman had a bigger heart than you.
You help b/c it is right. Period. Anybody who tries to justify inaction isn't fit to live in society. End of story.
I'm proud that most Americans I've seen and read about - from all political perspectives - have reacted immediately to offer assistance; despite our own 10% sustained unemployment. The most common grousing I've heard is a general frustration that we haven't been able to do enough, faster. They have nothing and we have everything. I'd prefer the works of private organizations for the long term mission as they're generally more effective than bureaucratic boondoggles. But the immediate, first hours, life-saving aid that can only be provided by our government through the military is available, necessary, and awesome to watch in action. People are waiting on lists for adoptive babies. Where the hell are some poster's hearts? And yeah, I'm a bleeding heart. One of those Reagan loving, pro-life, pro-gun types. I'm disappointed at the disagreeable from both sides. It was a friggin earthquake. They have NOTHING. Their average annual salary is a few cups of Starbucks. We can help. We should help. I have and will continue to do so.
Anon 2:01 -
I would take your comment seriously...
...if you had the balls to put your name behind it...
...which you don't...
so I won't.
Meanwhile, you just go ahead and give away YOUR last penny.
Personally, I have donated all I have to donate.
Maybe O'Hare will write you an award-winning Tear-Jerker, Guilt-Trip piece for you to frame over your bunk at the Homeless Shelter.
Anon 2:01
When articles I read about Dieruff football NO LONGER explain that apparently 75% of all children in the Allentown School District are on the subsidized lunch program - THEN I will not be such a f---ing "heartless bastard" with respect to people in Haiti.
(According to the article, when I was a student in the ASD in the late eighties, that number was 20%)
Hey Anon 2:01 ---
What will that percentage be twenty years from now?
Okay, I'm done.
Cry your eyes out over Haiti all week if you wish.
You are the one crying Ironpig...crying that people have compassion for their fellow man and are willing to say so.
Your disdain for fellow human beings isn't worth my disclosing my name to you, but I can assure you that I have done more in the past 96 hours to help in Haiti than you have done in your complaining and bellyaching about hating federal policies. How dare you attempt to connect the two and how dare you attempt to do so while operating under the name of a local baseball team that has demonstrated its commitment to doing charitable work in our community.
I gave 2 bucks at a hockey game the other night. My job is done. Problem is it is not just orphans coming over. Thousands and thousands are on their way. Do they carry disease? Has anyone tested them? Probably not, lets just load them on airplanes and bring them to the US. We will deal with the consequences later. Oh and if they are sick who will pay their medical bills? Those of you that are hell bent on helping now talk to me in 20 years when you are paying for these kids...kids and their kids kids. You asked for it!!!! And if "God" meant for them to be in America they would have been born here.
"And if "God" meant for them to be in America they would have been born here."
Are we in 1810 are 2010? Someone PLEASE let me know...
Alfonso Todd
www.prolifickmag.com
So it is ok for others to play the "god" card but not me? People have been spewing religion throughout this whole post.
It's always interesting to me how the tea-baggers often rage against tax money being spent on humanitarian aid, whether domestic or foreign, but seem fine that billions are spent each year to conduct war in other countries.
How someone can be both "hawkish" on war and conservative on taxation without seeing the paradox is beyond me.
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