Amid ongoing dangerous conditions in Haiti, the Biden Administration Monday extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the United States as of November 6.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension, which will allow Haitians who already have TPS to stay in the US for an additional 18 months, from February 4, 2023 through August 3, 2024. Haitians who resided in the US as of November 6 but do not already have TPS are able to apply for protected status through August 3, 2024. Haitians who entered the US after November 6 are not eligible for TPS, nor are Haitians who plan to enter after November 6.

The extension comes as conditions in Haiti worsen, Mayorkas said in a statement. An ongoing political crisis, gang crime, poor economic conditions, and a lack of access to food, water, fuel and healthcare compelled the extension as a form of humanitarian relief for Haitians who fled due to these conditions and for whom returning would provide a safety threat.

Temporary Protected Status allows the US to provide work authorization and temporary relief from removal to foreign nationals in the US regardless of their immigration status if they come from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disaster or other circumstances that threaten their safety. Haiti was initially designated for TPS after it experienced an earthquake on January 12, 2010. Since then, the US has extended the designation in 18-month increments as permitted by Section 1254 of Title 8 of the United States Code.