HAITI EARTHQUAKE

Refugee Women's Network, Inc. expresses our solidarity and sorrow for the people of Haiti as they struggle with the devastation caused by the earthquake of January 13, 2010. We have worked with Haitian refugees, asylees, and immigrants throughout the US and our thoughts are with them as they worry about and grieve over their loved ones in Haiti.

We also urge the US government to grant Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Haitians currently in the US seeking asylum.

Per the US Citizenship and Immigration Service website here

USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
The Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to the following temporary conditions in the country:
• Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
• An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane)
• Other extraordinary and temporary conditions

During a designated period, eligible individuals:
• Are not removable from the United States
• Cannot be detained by the Department of Homeland Security
• Can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)
• May apply for travel authorization

Although having TPS, by itself, does not lead to permanent resident status (a green card), a TPS beneficiary may immigrate permanently under another provision of law if qualified.
We invite you to join us in advocating for TPS for Haitians today and for comprehensive immigration reform to remove undue barriers for refugees, asylees, and immigrants to enter and stay in the US.

BE COUNTED

Refugee Women’s Network has partnered with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) to encourage our refugee and immigration community to participate in Census and ensure complete and accurate count of our nation’s population in 2010.
The census defines who we are as a nation. Accurate census data helps determine congressional representation, grant funding and guide local decision-makers on where to build new roads, hospitals, housing, schools and more.

RWN strives to be the catalyst between our communities and the mainstream U.S. Our communities experience hardship due to economic status, immigration status, limited language proficiency, disability and more. Census data can benefit our community by accurately portraying the number of people we represent. Annually the U.S. government allocates more that $400 billion to states and local government based on census data. This means more resources like schools, hospitals, day care centers for our communities. Additionally it helps RWN in writing grants to support our work.

Created in 1995, Refugee Women's Network, Inc. (RWN), is a national non profit organization created by women, for women, that focuses on enhancing refugee and immigrant women's strength, skills, and courage, through leadership training, education and advocacy to promote independence, self-sufficiency, and networking among its participants.

Refugee Women's Network is governed and staffed by refugee and immigrant women from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

All activities bring together women of different ethnicities.