The United States on Friday granted temporary amnesty to Haitians who are in the country illegally and warned them against travelling home in the wake of this week's massive earthquake, dpa reported.
Haitians who were in the United States on or before Tuesday, when the magnitude 7 earthquake struck the country, will be allowed to live and work in the United States for the next 18 months, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.
"Providing a temporary refuge for Haitian nationals who are currently in the United States and whose personal safety would be endangered by returning to Haiti is part of this administration's continuing efforts to support Haiti's recovery," she said.
Anywhere between 100,000 and 200,000 Haitians in the United States could be affected by the decision.
The "temporary protected status" would not apply to Haitians attempting to reach the United States since the earthquake, which flattened much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and has likely killed tens of thousands of people.
The US has pledged an initial 100 million dollars in aid to Haiti and sent thousands of emergency rescue and military personnel to search for survivors and provide relief.
US offers temporary amnesty to Haitians in US
