13 JUN 2023
Immigration Hub’s Kerri Talbot Reacts to the Biden Administration’s TPS Announcement: More Action is Needed on TPS Now
Biden administration extends – but doesn’t expand – Temporary Protected Status for threatened nationalities
WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden administration announced its decision to reverse a Trump-era decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Nepal. The Biden administration announced TPS extensions for 337,000 nationals of these countries, who previously had TPS and have been living and working in the U.S. for many years, and extended their status into 2025.
Over the last several weeks, advocates and leaders have called on the administration to not only extend, but to expand – or redesignate – TPS for these four countries. Unfortunately, the administration stopped short of issuing the new TPS designations that could have provided relief to many more individuals – all with similar ties to the U.S. and subject to the extraordinary circumstances that prevent them from safely returning to their countries of origin.
In response to the decision, Immigration Hub Deputy Director, Kerri Talbot, issued the following statement:
“We are relieved that over 300,000 individuals will rest more comfortably tonight knowing that their lawful status has been extended into 2025. Their lives, already upended by instability, violence and climate-related disasters, should have never been at the mercy of the courts. Temporary Protected Status is a lifeline for these immigrant families. The majority of these TPS holders have lived and worked in the United States for decades. Extending these temporary protections will enable families to remain together without fear of being ripped apart, ensure that TPS holders can continue to contribute their essential labor to an American economy suffering labor shortages in critical industries, and ensure the flow of remittances to home countries to continue helping families and communities.
“However, we are deeply disappointed that the administration failed to meet the broader urgency of the moment and take the necessary and publicly supported action to redesignate TPS for these countries. The President has clear statutory authority to not only extend but to expand TPS for people settled in America, preventing deportation to unstable and dangerous countries. The reality is if it’s unsafe for current TPS holders to return to those countries, it’s also unsafe for those they could have protected with redesignation.
“It is especially disheartening that this news comes on the same day that White House staff is meeting with children whose parents need TPS. Children deserve to grow up in safety and with their parents. Without TPS protection, thousands of families will face economic hardship and, at worst, potential separation.
“As extreme Republicans hammer immigrant communities with attacks to the detriment of their states’ economies, President Biden had – and still has – to cement his legacy as a leader who restored order after the previous administration’s cruelty created chaos, but also used every tool at his disposal to keep families together and offer a path to legal status. The president can and should meet this moment and redesignate TPS for Nicaragua and Venezuela nationals in the United States. Escalating political instability and violence in these countries has left thousands unable to return to their countries of origin, especially in Nicaragua. Most Americans support President Biden using his authority to redesignate TPS for these two countries. The time to act is now.”
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.