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Trump administration bars Haitians from temporary work visas

Posted at 7:16 PM, Jan 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-18 22:16:09-05

The Trump administration is now banning Haitians from getting temporary work visas.

The Department of Homeland Security says there were "High levels of fraud and abuse" with Haitians who had this visa.
 
It follows a decision ending temporary protected status for immigrants from Haiti, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

"I don't want to think about that because I don't want to cry."

Elda Membreno is a TPS worker originally from El Salvador. She could be separated from her family after the administration ended temporary protected status or TPS for hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

TPS workers are legally allowed to work and live in the US.

"It's very scary," says Geoconda Arguello-Kline of the Culinary Union. She says as the immigrant community grapples with these recent decisions, our local economy could suffer.

"It's about 30 percent. They work inside the casinos, you know, they are very important in their community."

A representative from Caesar's Entertainment says: "Caesars Entertainment has a robust program to help employees become U.S. citizens and we are on record supporting comprehensive immigration reform."

Another top employer, MGM Grand says: MGM Resorts continues to support our employees who legally live and work in the U.S. under temporary protected status. These individuals are productive members of our communities and our country, who have worked very hard to make secure lives for themselves and their families. Their plight makes it all the more urgent for Congress to take up comprehensive immigration reform.

As their fate remains hanging in the balance, thousands of immigrants in Nevada are pleading the government for a solution.

"They need to stay with the people. Because. When everybody is together, we'll be more strong," says Membreno.