16 FEB 2023
Reps. Frost and Soto Along With Immigration Advocates Urge President Biden to Redesignate TPS for Nicaraguans
Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost: “Redesignate TPS for Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan immigrants that are living in Florida, in my district, and across the country. It is the humane thing to do and it is the right thing to do.”
For a recording of the call, click here.
WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, Representatives Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) and Darren Soto (FL-09) joined the Immigration Hub, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, and the American Friends Service Committee to urge President Biden and his administration to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua.
This press call is part of a series of actions by groups across the country to urge the White House to take immediate action and protect Nicaraguans already living in the U.S. from deportation. Last week, a coalition of 272 faith, labor, immigration advocacy, and civil rights groups sent a letter calling on the administration to extend and redesignate TPS for Nicaragua. Thousands of Nicaraguans have fled their homes in recent years – fleeing political persecution and the devastating effects of natural disasters. Just last week, 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners were able to find refuge in the United States. The political violence stemming from the current authoritarian regime has only exacerbated the turmoil, displacement and economic instability caused by natural disasters in the country. These dangerous conditions in Nicaragua merit the protections TPS provides to Nicaraguan nationals already living and working in the United States.
“From authorizing parole to Nicaraguans to working with leaders in the Western Hemisphere, the Biden-Harris administration has taken critical action to address the precarious and dangerous conditions in Nicaragua,” said Beatriz Lopez, Chief Political and Communications Officer of the Immigration Hub. “However, escalating political repression is intensifying the detrimental effects of past natural disasters. In the 1980s, my family and countless others fled Daniel Ortega’s communist regime– and now, once again, this dictatorship has worsened conditions in the country. There simply is no safe return for Nicaraguan nationals currently in the United States. The urgency calls upon the Biden administration to extend and redesignate TPS.”
“The solution here is simple: redesignate TPS for Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan immigrants that are living in Florida, in my district, and across the country,” said Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost. “It is the humane thing to do and it is the right thing to do. I know President Biden cares about immigrants in the country and folks abroad. We urge the administration to take this action to come stand in line with the advocates, groups, and stories of people so we can continue to build an equitable immigration system in this country.”
“When the original TPS was granted, it was a godsend for over 50,000 Nicaraguans who are now in the United States,” said Congressman Darren Soto. “We appreciate the President including Nicaraguans in the new parole program, but we also need to not only reauthorize TPS, but extend it to new refugees who are victims of Hurricanes Eta and Iota, knowing what devastation that has caused. Reauthorizing and extending TPS for Nicaraguans will help reunite families as they seek refuge here in the United States. This is a great opportunity for Nicaragauns who are fleeing persecution, to pursue the American dream, and it allows us to address the worker shortage and inflation that we're still seeing here in the United States.”
“My parents fled a country that was torn apart by civil war, and in the years since my parents left, Nicaragua has been in the hands of a dictator that consolidated power by dismantling every ounce of democracy and separation of powers,” said Yareliz Mendez-Zamora. “There is a bipartisan acknowledgment that the situation is gruesome in Nicaragua. There are bipartisan efforts for the redesignation of TPS for Nicaragua. In Florida, the Florida Congressional delegation sent a bipartisan letter to the White House asking for a redesignation. The Florida legislature followed suit and also sent a letter, the mayor of Miami-Dade County, Danielle Levine Cava, also sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas. Elected leaders are underscoring the urgency and it is now up to the White House to do the right thing.”
“TPS will give me the peace of mind to work and live without fear of being deported and to achieve my dreams,” said Bertha Sanles. “Like my dream to buy my first house and support Leah, my 17-year-old daughter, to go to college and Christell, my child who's a Teacher. TPS will protect thousands of Nicaraguans fleeing siege and Human Rights violations.”
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigrationpolicies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.