NEW YORK, United States — New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday called on the federal government to grant temporary protected status (TPS) to Jamaicans following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28 and has claimed at least 45 lives.

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), James urged the Trump administration to immediately extend TPS protections to Jamaicans. TPS allows eligible individuals in the United States (US) who cannot safely return to their home countries to live and work legally.

The US has previously offered the designation to immigrants from Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal and other nations after severe natural disasters.

“Hurricane Melissa has caused unimaginable damage to our neighbours in Jamaica, displacing tens of thousands of people, destroying vital infrastructure and severely limiting access to basic necessities,” said James. “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, and our federal government should extend TPS to Jamaicans to help keep people safe while the island rebuilds.”

Sharing her sentiments, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke noted that Jamaica is experiencing destruction and displacement on a historic scale and said the US must honour its humanitarian commitments to its cherished Caribbean ally. One such commitment, she said, is stopping the forceful expulsion of Jamaicans into dangerous, unsafe conditions while their nation continues its work towards healing.

“We have a moral and diplomatic obligation to Jamaica not to make what is already a difficult situation even more painful for a country that has only been a friend to America since its founding,” Clarke said.

She further thanked Attorney General James for supporting her and 43 colleagues in Congress who sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security last week, urging them to immediately designate temporary protected status to Jamaica.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr, the son of a Jamaican immigrant, also voiced his support.

“The images coming out of Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa’s historic rampage across the island breaks my heart,” he said. “Countless families have been left without homes and livelihoods, and the United States must do all it can to support our Caribbean brothers and sisters in their time of need.”

Calling on the Trump administration to “set politics aside”, Richards said TPS must be extended without delay as Jamaicans begin the long process of rebuilding.

Assembly members Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Alicia Hyndman and Brian Cunningham also advocated for temporary protected status to Jamaicans in the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

“As a proud representative of one of the largest Caribbean communities in New York City and the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, I stand with Attorney General James in calling for temporary protected status for Jamaicans,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers.

Brooks-Powers continued, “The devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa is unimaginable. Extending TPS is not only the right thing to do, it is a critical measure that honours our city’s deep ties to Jamaica and our shared responsibility to protect those seeking safety and stability in this moment of crisis.”

On October 28th, 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in western Jamaica. Melissa was the most intense storm ever to hit the island, causing at least 45 deaths and over $2 billion worth of property damage across the country.

In many communities, the majority of homes, schools and stores have been destroyed. The storm has displaced an estimated 30,000 households and cut off access to electricity, clean water and medical care for many others.