Trump Administration Ending TPS for Hondurans Is Unconscionable, Says Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is terminating the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Honduras. On January 5, 2020, approximately 57,000 Honduran TPS holders will be out of status and subject to deportation. Honduras holds the second-highest rate of nationals murdered after their deportation.
Said Amanda Baran, Consultant to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and co-author of ILRC’s report “Economic Contributions by Salvadoran, Honduran, and Haitian TPS Holders”:
“Deportation will be a death sentence for some Hondurans, and the fact that the White House can know this and still proceed today with this reckless policy decision to terminate their TPS status is deplorable. Hondurans have become deeply rooted in US society since they were forced to flee the dangerous and disastrous conditions of their native country, which still have not yet improved. Promising Hondurans relief only to abandon that promise—when we know the danger that awaits their return—is unconscionable.
“This year, the administration has solidified its shameful legacy to TPS holders by also setting expiration dates on the extension of this temporary, humanitarian form of immigration relief for Sudanese, Nepalis, Salvadorans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans. Congress has an opportunity to right these wrongs by passing bold legislation that would provide relief to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We call upon Congress to act immediately in passing the American Promise Act of 2017 introduced by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and the SECURE Act introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Both of these bills will grant TPS beneficiaries from all 13 participating countries access to legal permanent residency.”
The report “Economic Contributions by Salvadoran, Honduran, and Haitian TPS Holders,” released by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center last year, showed that deporting current Honduran TPS holders would cost our nation more than $700 million in lost revenue; lead to a GDP reduction of $10.9 billion over a decade; and incur $1.6 billion in lost Social Security and Medicare contributions over a decade. The ILRC report “Relief Not Raids: Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras” outlines the legal and factual grounds for redesignating Honduras for TPS and the impact it would have on the Honduran community. The ILRC has also prepared a Practice Alert on Ramirez v. Brown for legal practitioners to review for more information on how certain TPS holders living in certain parts of the US (the jurisdictions covered by the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th and 6th Circuits) may be eligible to pursue options to obtain lawful permanent residency.
For interviews with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, please contact Jareyah Bradley at jareyah@balestramedia.com or 908.242.4822.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policymakers 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’s mission is to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. www.ilrc.org