MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – A crowd was showing their Haitian pride on Saturday across from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Miami field office in Northwest Miami-Dade.
The future of some 50,000 Haitians depends on whether or not President Donald Trump's administration will be extending their Temporary Protective Status before it expires July 22.
Across from the federal building at 8801 NW 7 Ave., the crowd's rhythmic chant was, "Donald Trump! TPS now!"
The decision is in the hands of John F. Kelly, Trump's secretary of Homeland Security. Earlier this year, he requested an analysis of the criminal history of Haitians living in the U.S.
President Barack Obama allowed the TPS to protect Haitians in the U.S. after the 2010 earthquake. Immigration authorities have extended the program three times since.
Seven years later, the impoverished country hasn't been able to recover.
Dozens of demonstrators marched and danced to the beat of drummers. There were signs in English and Haitian Creole with the hash tags "Save TPS" and "Renew TPS Now."
Local 10 News' Sam Darbouze contributed to this report.