In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, New York Attorney General Letitia James has called on the federal government to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Jamaicans currently residing in the United States. The hurricane, the most intense to ever hit the island, has resulted in at least 45 fatalities and caused over $2 billion in property damage, displacing approximately 30,000 households and severely disrupting access to essential services such as electricity, clean water, and medical care.
In a formal letter addressed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), James emphasized the urgent need for TPS, a designation that allows individuals from countries experiencing severe crises to live and work legally in the U.S. without fear of deportation. ‘Hurricane Melissa has inflicted unimaginable devastation on our Jamaican neighbors, destroying vital infrastructure and leaving tens of thousands homeless,’ James stated. ‘Forcing Jamaicans in the U.S. to return to a shattered homeland would be both dangerous and inhumane. TPS was designed precisely for such situations, and the federal government must act swiftly to protect those affected.’
James’s appeal has garnered widespread support from political leaders, including Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who highlighted the U.S.’s moral and diplomatic obligations to Jamaica. ‘Jamaica has been a steadfast ally to the United States since its founding,’ Clarke remarked. ‘We must honor our humanitarian commitments by ensuring that Jamaicans are not forced to return to unsafe conditions while their nation rebuilds.’
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., whose family has Jamaican roots, echoed these sentiments, urging the Trump administration to ‘set politics aside’ and extend TPS without delay. ‘The heart-wrenching images of devastation in Jamaica compel us to act,’ Richards said. ‘The U.S. must stand with our Caribbean brothers and sisters during this critical time.’
New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, representing one of the largest Caribbean communities in the city, also voiced her support. ‘Extending TPS is not only the right thing to do but also a testament to the deep cultural and historical ties between New York City and Jamaica,’ she asserted. ‘It is our shared responsibility to provide safety and stability to those in need.’
The call for TPS follows a precedent set by the U.S. government, which has previously granted the designation to nationals of Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal following natural disasters. As Jamaica begins the arduous process of recovery, the extension of TPS would offer critical relief to those affected by the hurricane’s unprecedented destruction.
