AG James Pushes for TPS Extension for Jamaica Survivors

New York – The grim aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s wrath on Jamaica has brought a rallying cry from the state’s top legal official. New York Attorney General Letitia James today called for the federal government to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Jamaicans affected by the October 28 disaster, which killed at least 45 people and caused over $2 billion in damage.

In an urgent appeal sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Attorney General James highlighted the need for TPS as a lifeline for thousands displaced by the storm. ‘Hurricane Melissa has caused unimaginable damage, displacing tens of thousands of people, destroying vital infrastructure, and severely limiting access to basic necessities,’ said AG James.

Attorney General James emphasized that returning Jamaicans to their devastated island would be both dangerous and inhumane. She argued that TPS is precisely the kind of protection needed during times of widespread devastation following natural disasters. The U.S. has a history of granting TPS to immigrants from countries like Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal following similar crises.

Hurricane Melissa, the most intense storm ever to hit Jamaica, caused at least 45 deaths and an estimated $2 billion in property damage. An estimated 30,000 households have been displaced, with many cut off from electricity, clean water, and medical care. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke echoed the Attorney General’s call for TPS extension, emphasizing the moral and diplomatic obligation of the United States to its Caribbean ally.

Queens Borough President Dono, whose family hails from Jamaica, expressed profound empathy for the suffering island nation. ‘As the son of a Jamaican immigrant, the images coming out of Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa’s historic rampage break my heart,’ he said.

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