Rep. Yvette D. Clarke Re-introduces the HELP Act

Statement

On Tuesday, November 1, 2011, I re-introduced H.R. 3297, "the Haitian Emergency Life Protection Act of 2011" (The H.E.L.P Act) in the 112th Congress. As Haiti approaches the second anniversary of the January 12, 2010 earthquake, it is important that we continue to help in this nation's recovery efforts. The H.E.L.P Act would allow an estimated 55,000 Haitians who have already obtained immigration petitions to reunite with their relatives in the United States. It would also temporarily expand the V nonimmigrant visa category to include Haitians whose petitions for a family-sponsored immigrant visa were approved on or before January 12, 2010. The bill has the support of twenty other members of the House of Representatives, and represents a common sense policy adjustment that would help ensure the safety and security of countless Haitian families in a time of incredible hardship. As a representative of the second largest population of the first and second generation Haiti immigrants, I understand the importance of helping the Haitian Diaspora and the Haitian people recover for the devastation of this earthquake.

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