Rockland advocates are warning Haitians who arrived after the devastating 2010 earthquake that they have just weeks to re-register for a federal program granting them the right to stay in the United States until January 2018.

Temporary Protected Status designation, or TPS, was granted to Haitians following the earthquake, which claimed more than 200,000 lives.

TPS has been extended only until Jan. 22, when the displaced persons, including dozens who came to live, work and attend school in Rockland, could be forced to leave.

ROCKLAND: Volunteers return from mission to Haiti

All Haitians under TPS must re-register by July 24 to be able to continue living and working in the U.S. until the extension period expires.

A number of outreach programs are planned, including one by Catholic Charities of Rockland, which will assist people with the re-registration process and train volunteers to do the same.

The Rockland County Legislature is expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution that supports extending the status period from six months to 18 to 24 months, and also backs the re-registration efforts. The sponsors are Legislators Nancy Low-Hogan, Toney L. Earl and Jay Hood Jr.

“There are Haitians who came to Rockland after the earthquake who have become vital members of our community,” Earl said. “They aren’t just displaced persons — they are our neighbors, our co-workers, our fellow students. They have built lives here and they should be given an opportunity to stay longer given the current conditions in Haiti.”

Rockland is home to a Haitian community estimated to be about 25,000 people.

Although there are no official numbers, community organizer Renold Julien estimated there were about 1,500 to 2,500 people in Rockland affected by the TPS deadline.

Julien said up to 65 percent of the people coming to his Spring Valley nonprofit Konbit Neg Lakay have TPS questions.

“They’re scared because a lot of them have children who are born in this country,” Julien said. “They don’t know what to think. It is a mess in the making. … The Haitians who have TPS, they are hardworking people. They are not on welfare, they are not here to make trouble, they are not criminals.”

Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, continues to suffer from cholera outbreaks since the 2010 earthquake. Last October, the island was ravaged by Hurricane Matthew, which killed hundreds and left thousands more in need of humanitarian assistance.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has stated he will monitor conditions in the Caribbean nation, but sees the TPS as nearing an end and has told Haitians to prepare to return home.

Julien hopes government officials will reconsider before the Jan. 22 deadline.

“All we can do is pray,” he said.

Outreach to Haitian community

What: Free information session and legal clinic for Haitian nationals needing to re-register for Temporary Protected Status, as well as free immigration legal consultations. Free application assistance will be provided.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

Where: St. Joseph’s Church, 245 N. Main St. in Spring Valley.

Information: Appointments are required. Call 646-794-3064 or email CCCSCommClinics@gmail.com for more information or to register.

More help: To contact Konbit Neg Lakay, call 845-425 4623, send email to kneglakay@aol.com or visit konbitneglakay.com

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has stated he will monitor conditions in the Caribbean nation, but sees the TPS as nearing an end and has told Haitians to prepare to return home.

Julien hopes government officials will reconsider before the Jan. 22 deadline.

“All we can do is pray,” he said.

Outreach to Haitian community

What: Free information session and legal clinic for Haitian nationals needing to re-register for Temporary Protected Status, as well as free immigration legal consultations. Free application assistance will be provided.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

Where: St. Joseph’s Church, 245 N. Main St. in Spring Valley.

Information: Appointments are required. Call 646-794-3064 or email CCCSCommClinics@gmail.com for more information or to register.

More help: To contact Konbit Neg Lakay, call 845-425 4623, send email to kneglakay@aol.com or visit konbitneglakay.com