Orphaned Haitian Children to Be Allowed Into U.S.

Orphaned children from Haiti will be allowed to enter the U.S. temporarily on a case-by-case basis to ensure they received proper care, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State announced Monday.

"We are committed to doing everything we can to help reunite families in Haiti during this very difficult time," DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement. "While we remain focused on family reunification in Haiti, authorizing the use of humanitarian parole for orphans who are eligible for adoption in the United States will allow them to receive the care they need here."

Under the plan, humanitarian parole into the U.S may be granted to the following children: those who have been legally confirmed as orphans eligible for intercountry adoption by the government of Haiti and are being adopted by U.S. citizens; or children who have been previously identified by an adoption service provider or facilitator as eligible for intercountry adoption and have been matched to U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents.

Napolitano last week announced the designation of temporary protected status for Haitian nationals who were physically present in the United States as of Jan. 12, allowing eligible Haitian nationals to continue living and working in the United States for the next 18 months.