Haiti, Haitian Times, Inglês

With the recent decision by the Biden administration not to renew the Humanitarian Parole Program for Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans, many immigrants are left in a state of uncertainty. The program, which allowed Haitians to enter the U.S. temporarily due to urgent humanitarian needs, has been a crucial pathway for those fleeing political instability, natural disasters, and economic hardship. 

Now, with its imminent end, Haitian immigrants face new challenges in securing their legal status and accessing essential services.

Here are five key nonprofits offering vital assistance to Haitian immigrants across the U.S.

Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA)

• Geographic Reach: National, with a primary focus on border states like California, Texas, and New York.
• Who They Serve: HBA provides legal and humanitarian assistance to Haitian immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, particularly those at the U.S.-Mexico border. They also focus on people in ICE detention centers and vulnerable immigrants in transit.
• Services: The Haitian Bridge Alliance offers immigration legal services, including help with asylum applications, deportation defense, and temporary protected status (TPS) applications. They also provide language support, healthcare access, and advocate for policy changes that benefit Haitian migrants.
• Website: Haitian Bridge Alliance

Life of Hope (LOH)

• Geographic Reach: Primarily based in Brooklyn, New York, but serves the Haitian immigrant community across the city and surrounding areas.
• Who They Serve: Life of Hope focuses on Haitian immigrants, particularly those in the New York City area, offering critical support to newly arrived immigrants, undocumented individuals, and families.
• Services: LOH provides immigration legal aid, including assistance with adjustment of status, naturalization, and deportation defense. Additionally, they offer education programs, youth development initiatives, and social services such as healthcare access and job training for Haitian immigrants.
• Website: Life of Hope

Catholic Charities

• Geographic Reach: National, with offices in various U.S. cities including Miami, New York, Boston, and Los Angeles.
• Who They Serve: Catholic Charities serves immigrants and refugees of all nationalities, with a dedicated focus on the Haitian community in cities with large Haitian populations. They provide services to vulnerable immigrants, including the undocumented, asylum seekers, and those impacted by deportation orders.
• Services: Catholic Charities offers immigration legal services, including asylum applications, family reunification, TPS renewals, and deportation defense. They also provide social services such as housing assistance, mental health support, and educational programs.
• Website: Catholic Charities

Legal Aid Society

• Geographic Reach: Primarily based in New York City, with services extending to immigrants across the state.
• Who They Serve: The Legal Aid Society serves low-income immigrants, including Haitian immigrants, offering free legal services for those facing deportation or in need of asylum. They also work with immigrants navigating complex immigration procedures such as family reunification.
• Services: They offer pro bono legal services including deportation defense, asylum applications, and TPS applications. Additionally, the Legal Aid Society provides housing and employment legal assistance to immigrants.
• Website: Legal Aid Society

Haitian Americans United for Progress (HAUP)

• Geographic Reach: Based in Queens, New York, serving the Haitian community throughout the city and in nearby areas.
• Who They Serve: HAUP serves the Haitian-American community, providing social, legal, and educational services to immigrants and refugees. Their focus is on assisting Haitians at risk of deportation or those seeking citizenship.
• Services: HAUP offers legal aid for immigration-related issues such as adjustment of status, family petitions, and naturalization. They also provide ESL classes, job training, and healthcare access to help Haitian immigrants integrate into U.S. society.
• Website: Haitian Americans United for Progress