International Institute of Rhode Island Conducts Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Registration for Nationals of Haiti

International Institute of Rhode Island Conducts Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Registration for Nationals of Haiti Until July 15, 2010.
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The International Institute of Rhode Island has announced that it will be processing Haitian TPS registration applications until July 15, 2010.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for nationals of Haiti until July 21, 2011. This extension covers approximately 100,000 to 200,000 nationals of Haiti located throughout the United States.

USCIS has granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nationals of Haiti, due to the recent devastating earthquake, for 18 months. TPS is a temporary legal status given by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to citizens of a certain country in cases of emergency. Those who are granted TPS are able to live and work in the United States legally for the duration of the status, but TPS does not lead to adjustment to legal permanent residency. When the 18 months is over, the DHS Secretary can decide to renew the status or to let it expire.

Who is Eligible: Most nationals of Haiti who were physically present in the United States on the date of the earthquake, January 12, 2010, and apply for TPS before the end of the registration period on July 21, 2010, are eligible. Haitians who arrived in the United States after January 12, 2010 are not eligible for TPS. For questions about qualifying, please contact the International Institute of Rhode Island at (401) 461-5940.

How to Apply: To apply for TPS, most Haitians will need to submit a TPS application (I-821), and, regardless of whether the individual intends to work, an Employment Authorization application (I-765). Applicants must provide evidence that they are of Haitian nationality and that they were physically present in the United States on January 12, 2010. Applicants must also submit two passport-size photos.

The application fee that most Haitians will have to pay to USCIS will total $470.

The International Institute of Rhode Island will help Haitians apply for TPS. The International Institute is a non-profit agency providing services to the immigrant and refugee community of Rhode Island. The Institute has a staff of federally accredited immigration caseworkers, trained and experienced in all areas of immigration procedures, including TPS applications.

Individuals interested in having the International Institute assist them with TPS applications should make an appointment by contacting IIRI at (401) 461-5940 or by coming to the International Institute's Feinstein Center for Citizenship and Immigration Services office at 645 Elmwood Avenue in Providence.

The International Institute will charge a fee of $75 to prepare and file applications. Applicants should bring proper documentation, including passports, ID cards, birth certificates and other significant documents.

For questions, or to schedule an appointment, please call the International Institute at (401) 461-5940.

International Institute Rhode Island, founded in 1921, is an independent non-profit agency serving immigrant, refugee, and native-born individuals and families. Our mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people.

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IIRI Fundraiser for Haitian Earthquake Victims

On behalf of the IIRI, Roshni Darnal (Work Training Certificate Program Instructor for the Education Department) is coordinating a fundraiser for the earthquake victims in Haiti. IIRI's Education Department will encourage all students and teachers to give to make a donation to help with the relief. The Education Department encourage all IIRI staff and stakeholders to consider donating to this fundraiser. All funds collected will be sent to American Red Cross to be used towards their relief efforts in Haiti.

IIRI will be collecting donations all of next week and hopes to send out the donations by January 29th. You may leave your donations at the Development Office with Jessica Barry or with Roshni Darnal at the Education Department from 4pm - 9pm, Monday - Thursday. Please feel free to come by either one of our office to drop off your donations.

As we are all aware the needs in Haiti are so great and every little bit counts. So please donate generously so that we can all collective make a difference.

Thank you everyone in advance.

Regards,

Contact:
Roshni Griva Darnal
Work Training Certificate Program
Instructor
International Institute Rhode Island
Phone: (401)784-8616

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THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RHODE ISLAND TELLS CONGRESS: WE WANT IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW!

For Immediate Release January 15, 2010
Contact: Michelle DePlante, (401) 784-8644, mdeplante@iiri.org

THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RHODE ISLAND CALLS FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM AS PART OF MAJOR NATIONWIDE MOBILIZATION, 2010 NATIONAL ESCALATION OF REFORM IMMIGRATION FOR AMERICA CAMPAIGN

Providence, RI – Today, as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, the International Institute of Rhode Island stands with the rest of the nation to tell Congress that they want action on comprehensive immigration reform. Rhode Islanders want comprehensive reform that will protect workers and help with economic recovery, keep families together, and protect the due process rights of all.

The International Institute of Rhode Island welcomes migrants and their desire to join our communities and contribute to our nation and state. While immigrants in the state of Rhode Island come from many different places, they are united by their pursuit of the liberties and opportunities our nation was founded on.

Americans should be reminded that as a nation the United States is greater than the sum of all its parts. When one member of our society struggles, we all struggle. Our tradition compels us to remember that at one point or another in history we too were once strangers in a new land. Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., immigrants and refugees also have dreams rooted in the American dream we all believe in. The outcome of our debate over immigration and the linked fate of the million of migrants and citizens will speak volumes about our national character and ideals. Just and humane immigration reform that supports integration, equal rights, and opportunity will be a long-term sustainable and effective policy.

There cannot be further delay for immigration reform at the federal level. The failure of our immigration system thus far has hurt our local communities, dividing individuals and wreaking havoc on the lives of local residents, both native and foreign-born persons. As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we need to be reminded of his words: “It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment”. The time for just and humane immigration reform is NOW; we can’t afford more delay. On this important anniversary of Dr. King’s birthday, we are calling on our elected officials to take leadership and action to deliver just and humane immigration reform.

The International Institute of Rhode Island’s statement of support is part of a nationwide mobilization of Americans for comprehensive immigration reform. At more than 100 major pro-reform events across the country, Americans stood up, marched, held prayer vigils, convened press conferences, targeted members of Congress, conducted town halls, or held huge rallies to demonstrate the strength of the enormous immigration reform movement and to call on Congress to Act. This week’s events represent a major escalation for the immigration reform movement, and come on the heels of a whirlwind of organizing activity in 2009. Pro-reform advocates have assembled an enormous and unprecedented bi-partisan coalition of people of faith, business, labor, civil rights, and elected officials. More than 700 organizations have joined the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign and the campaign is partnering with Americans in nearly every state to make 2010 the year that Congress finally delivers comprehensive immigration reform.

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Our Mission & Vision For the Future

Our Mission
International Institute of Rhode Island's mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people.



Our Vision For the Future

We dare to dream of a future in which:

• The International Institute of Rhode Island will be the leading comprehensive resource for new immigrants and refugees and a multicultural information center for all Rhode Islanders.

• Every individual has the opportunity to learn to speak, read, and write English and to experience the values inherent in other languages.

• All legal residents can achieve U.S. citizenship at a cost within their means.

• All individuals have access to affordable health education and services.

• All individuals have access to basic job training and readiness opportunities.

• All who need it have the translation and interpreting services required to ensure their access to essential services.

• All of our children will experience the value of an education offered in a multicultural, multilingual environment.

• Diversity is cherished as one of this nation's outstanding resources.

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Our History

The International Institute of Rhode Island has provided educational, legal and social services to immigrants and refugees throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts since 1921.


Housed originally in two rooms on Weybosset Street and dedicated to providing casework and support to a few hundred immigrant women and their families, the Institute now inhabits a three-story building on Elmwood Avenue in South Providence. The affiliated International Charter School is located on 334 Pleasant Street in Pawtucket.


Today, the International Institute of Rhode Island is an independent non-profit agency providing more than 20,000 services to immigrant, refugee and native-born individuals and families each year.

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