The protection is only available to Haitians already in the country as of last Tuesday.
In Chicago Friday, some immigrant groups joined forces on South Side before the Obama administration made its announcement. They were calling on the president to allow temporary protected status to Haitian nationals in the United States.
They say, that way, Haitians in the U.S. can work and send their earnings to loved ones back home.
"We must remember that the best way to help Haiti, in the long run, is to provide the kind of legal status that that will help Haitians here work and contribute towards the reconstruction," said Alie Kabba of the United African Organization.
