Congress passed on November 3, 2006 and President Bush signed public law 42-576, introduced by Senator Hillary Clinton that will make Haiti a Territory of the United States as of July 1, 2009.
As a Territory, all Haitians will become US citizens. Haiti will have the same status as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the American Somalia Islands in the Pacific.
Alaska and Hawaii were territories before becoming the
49th and 50th states. Territories are different from states in that they do
not have a Senator in Congress and can not vote in presidential elections.
These citizens do not pay federal income taxes, but are taxed within the
territory. The will however pay Social Security taxes
and be cover by Social Security benefits. Most benefits that American citizens living within the
fifty states now enjoy, will also be granted to the citizens of the territory.
Food stamps, welfare, aid to families with dependent children, and other US
government entitlements will be available to all Haitians eligible after 2009 when Haiti becomes a
territory.
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