Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: News

Media Credit: www.whitehouse.gov President Barack Obama addresses the nation on Jan. 15 to explain the measures taken by the United States to help Haiti after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12.

The Department of Homeland Security has granted Haitians a "Temporary Protected Status," which will prevent the deportation of illegal Haitians, who were already in the U.S. on Jan. 12, for a period of 18 months. Citizens of nations affected by natural disasters, civil wars or other major catastrophes are usually granted the status, which may be extended if the government considers it prudent.

"I do believe that America has a continued responsibility to act. Our nation has a unique capacity to reach out quickly and broadly and to deliver assistance that can save lives. That responsibility, obviously, is magnified when the devastation that has been suffered is so near to us," said President Barack Obama three days after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. "Haitians are our neighbors in the Americas, and for Americans, they are family and friends."

The U.S. government has also sent troops to deliver water, food and medical supplies to Port-au-Prince. People in need of emergency medical assistance not available in Haiti are being flown to American hospitals, mainly in Fla. However, governmental extraction of critically ill patients stopped on Wed. While the reason for this is unclear, The Miami Herald alluded to a letter sent by Gov. Charlie Crist to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stating that the state's hospitals were almost full.

The official extraction of patients may have stopped but individual hospitals continue to provide a helping hand. On Sun., three critically ill children were flown to a hospital in Philadelphia after private donors paid for the flight. Also on Sun., the White House said a plan was being designed to resume the extraction of people in critical conditions.

"I believe it has been the consensus of the international community and the Haitian community here in the U.S. that the U.S. was relatively responsive," said James D. Wilets, professor of law in the NSU Shepard Broad Law Center and chair for the Inter-American Center for Human Rights. "I think most people wish the previous administration had been as responsive towards the people of New Orleans."

President Obama said the Haitian President, René Préval expressed his gratitude to the American public during their conversation on Jan. 15. "From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the people of Haiti: Thank you, thank you, thank you," said Préval.

For more information regarding the U.S.'s help toward Haiti and how to help, visit the White House's Web site.

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