11.07.2017

NEW YORK - In response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans and leave 57,000 Hondurans in limbo for another six months, the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) released the following statement from Co-Executive Director Ana Maria Archila:
 
“The announcement on TPS is heartless and cruel, and will impact families who have lived in this country for decades. Many of CPD’s community-based affiliate organizations represent large numbers of TPS recipients, people who came here fleeing natural disasters and civil war, who were received by the United States with open arms. They have put down roots here and they call this country home.
 
They include people like Mario Garcia, who came to this country from El Salvador 22 years ago. Mario is the father of three children, all born in the United States. Thanks to TPS, Mario was able to start his own company and buy a house in Montgomery County.
 
The decision to end TPS for thousands is not unexpected from a white nationalist White House, but enough is enough. TPS recipients like Mario should not have to wait in limbo for the Trump administration to make a decision that could throw the lives they have built in this country into jeopardy.
 
We are calling on Congress to take immediate action to address this unnecessary crisis, and to formalize what these individuals are: permanent residents of the United States.”
 
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary and renewable immigration status that provides employment authorization and protection from deportation for immigrants from countries experiencing temporary environmental, armed conflict, or extraordinary conditions. It was established by Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990 and provides legal status to more than 300,000 immigrants.

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Media Contact:
Asya Pikovsky, apikovsky@populardemocracy.org, 207-522-2442