Many see an ominous sign in the Department of Homeland Security's May 22 decision to grant only a six-month extension of "temporary protected status" for nearly 60,000 Haitians instead of the standard 18 months. Their status has been renewed every 18 months as other countries, including Rwanda, Kuwait and Lebanon, have come and gone from the list. Taking the status away from Haitians, even as conditions there remain difficult, would set a precedent, he said. People in TPS aren't eligible for public benefits, must pay taxes and undergo background checks when they submit renewal applications. ———Associated Press writer Luis Alonso Lugo reported this story in Washington and AP writer Ben Fox reported from Miami.

Source: ABC News May 29, 2017 03:56 UTC