(Washington, DC) – In response to the United States Department of Homeland Security’s announcement that the U.S. will revoke Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Karl A. Racine released the following statement:

“The decision to send nearly 60,000 people back to a country that is not prepared to receive them is cruel and sends the wrong message about who we are as a country. Helping Americans prosper and providing international humanitarian relief are not mutually exclusive. Seven years after they were hit by a devastating earthquake and one year after being hit by Hurricane Matthew, Haiti is still dealing with severe food shortages, a cholera epidemic, and poor living conditions.

“The District of Columbia is a diverse, international city – we have men, women and children from across the globe living here and contributing to the success of our region and our country. We will continue to stand on the side of protecting human rights and do all we can to fight this decision.”