Ted Poe: “I strongly support H.R. 5283. Madam Speaker, earlier this year, Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake and hundreds of…”

“I strongly support H.R. 5283. Madam Speaker, earlier this year, Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake and hundreds of thousands of people died. In reaction, the Department of Homeland Security announced a humanitarian parole policy under which orphaned Haitian children who were in the middle of an adoption process with prospective Americans would be immediately brought to the United States. Under this policy, about 1,200 Haitian children, orphans, came to the United States. Since adoption proceedings were not yet completed when these children were brought to this country, they will have to live with their adoptive parents for 2 years before being eligible for permanent resident status in the United States. In the interim, they remain in parole status, which is to be renewed each and every year. This legal limbo can be stressful to the children and to the families who have adopted them. We must remember, Madam Speaker, these children had already been approved for adoption to American parents. Additionally, Representative Fortenberry from Nebraska was concerned about the impact of this delay on children and circumstances such as the death of adoptive parents. Mr. Fortenberry therefore introduced the Help HAITI Act of 2010. This bill grants immediate permanent residence to the airlifted Haitian orphans.”