New York Attorney General Letitia James is urging the federal government to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Jamaicans living in the United States following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The hurricane hit Jamaica on October 28, killing at least 45 people and causing more than $2 billion in property damage. Tens of thousands of residents were displaced, and many communities are still without electricity, clean water, or access to medical care.
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, James warned that returning Jamaicans to a country facing such widespread destruction would put them at serious risk. She said TPS allows eligible individuals to live and work legally in the U.S. when conditions in their home country are too dangerous for return.
“Hurricane Melissa has caused unimaginable damage to our neighbors in Jamaica,” James said. “Situations like this are exactly what TPS was intended for, and our federal government should extend TPS to Jamaicans to help keep people safe while the island rebuilds.”
The U.S. has granted TPS in the past to immigrants from countries impacted by natural disasters, including Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal. James is urging DHS to move quickly on the request to ensure Jamaicans in the U.S. are not forced back into unsafe conditions.
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