US Urges Migrants to Seek Residency or Go Home

Migrants in the United States with temporary protected status should apply for permanent residency or return to their home countries, US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said on Sunday.

His remarks followed last week's decision by the US Supreme Court, which allowed President Donald Trump's administration to revoke humanitarian status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Haiti and Syria. This status had previously protected them from deportation.

"Either try to fill out the paperwork and be here underneath a permanent status or we'll help you get back to your country", Mullin said. He added that the government will provide them with a plane ticket and approximately $2,100 to help with their reintegration upon return.

US law allows for temporary protected status to be granted to people fleeing war, natural disasters or other crises. Haiti was granted this status after the devastating earthquake in 2010, and Syria after the outbreak of civil war in 2012.

The US Department of State continues to advise against travel to Haiti and Syria due to violence, crime, terrorism and kidnappings.

(Reuters, bak)