New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, called on the federal government to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Jamaicans in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28, killing at least 45 people and causing widespread destruction.
In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), James urged the Trump administration to immediately extend TPS protections, allowing eligible individuals currently in the United States to live and work legally while their homeland recovers. TPS has previously been granted to immigrants from countries affected by natural disasters, including Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal.
“Hurricane Melissa has caused unimaginable damage to our neighbors in Jamaica, displacing tens of thousands of people, destroying vital infrastructure, and severely limiting access to basic necessities,” James said. “Forcing Jamaicans in the United States to return home to a devastated island would be dangerous and cruel. Situations like this are exactly what TPS was intended for.”
The hurricane, the most intense to hit Jamaica in recent history, has left an estimated 30,000 households displaced, destroyed homes, schools, and businesses, and caused over $2 billion in property damage.
James’s call for TPS has garnered broad support from lawmakers representing large Jamaican-American communities. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke emphasized the United States’ humanitarian obligation, stating that TPS ensures residents are not forced back into unsafe conditions while Jamaica continues its recovery.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Assemblymembers Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Brian Cunningham, Alicia L. Hyndman, and New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers all echoed the call, stressing that extending TPS is a moral imperative that protects vulnerable communities, honors U.S.–Jamaica ties, and allows affected families to maintain stability during the rebuilding process.
“Hurricane Melissa has left families across Jamaica grappling with unimaginable loss and destruction, and many simply cannot return to safe or stable conditions,” Cunningham said. “Extending Temporary Protected Status is a moral imperative that reflects our nation’s values.”
The Biden administration and DHS have historically acted swiftly to grant TPS in similar situations, including after Hurricane Mitch in 1999 and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, providing safe legal status for displaced communities while their countries recover.
Attorney General James urged immediate action, framing TPS not just as a legal mechanism but as a humanitarian necessity.
