(Washington)—Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been extended for more than 330,000 immigrants from four countries—El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal. Individuals from these countries who already have TPS will be able to renew their TPS status and work authorization for an additional 18 months. The Trump administration attempted to end TPS for these countries, but those attempts were blocked in federal court in a class action lawsuit, Ramos v Mayorkas. This announcement by DHS grants a temporary reprieve to current TPS holders and may put an end to the lawsuit, which challenges that TPS terminations were illegal and motivated by racism. A hearing in this case is scheduled for next week.
“The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is gratified to see TPS extended for these community members who bravely fought against the racist terminations in 2017 and 2018,” said Policy Attorney and Strategist Elizabeth Taufa. “We are disappointed that the Biden Administration declined to extend protections to other vulnerable individuals by redesignating these countries and hope that the Administration will reconsider their decision. For too long, individuals with temporary status have been used as political pawns by the White House under various presidents and we call on President Biden do the right thing and expand protections for those in need.”
While redesignation would provide relief to many living without status, there are other immediate steps the Biden administration must take. The Biden Administration has promised an expansion of lawful pathways to accompany the harsh measures it has taken against asylum seekers at the Southern border, such as the asylum ban, and redesignation would be a welcome step forward.
###
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and on Twitter and Instagram @the_ILRC