President Biden’s administration has extended deportation relief for 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan through Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an additional 18 months. The move delays any potential actions by President-elect Donald Trump to rescind these protections. Advocates are urging further expansions of TPS to include more nations and recent arrivals.
President Joe Biden’s administration has officially extended the deportation relief for approximately 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan. This renewal, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, prolongs the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these individuals by an additional 18 months. This measure effectively delays any intentions by President-elect Donald Trump to terminate these protections, which allowed immigrants to escape deportation while also gaining access to work permits.
Since the start of his presidency in 2021, President Biden has significantly broadened the eligibility criteria for TPS. Currently, TPS is accessible to individuals from 17 nations who are seeking refuge from natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other emergency situations. This expansion has benefitted more than 1 million people residing in the United States. Although President Trump, who is set to resume office on January 20, has historically opposed the program—attempting to end TPS enrollment during his previous term—legal challenges prevented such actions from being enacted.
While the recent extension addresses existing recipients, advocates and some Democrats are pressing the Biden administration to expand TPS eligibility to individuals from additional countries and those who have arrived more recently. Todd Schulte, the president of FWD.us, expressed that the decision will enable countless individuals to continue fulfilling their roles in their communities while providing for their families. He urged for the inclusion of nations such as Nicaragua in the TPS designations.
Of the 900,000 immigrants benefitting from the TPS renewal, approximately 600,000 are Venezuelans, the largest group included. The Biden administration originally granted TPS to Venezuelans to address the significant levels of crime and instability resulting from the political and economic climate under President Nicolas Maduro, who has recently begun his third term in office after being sworn in.
(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Diane Craft)
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program offers essential protections to individuals from countries experiencing severe challenges, such as natural disasters or armed conflicts. Established to prevent deportation, TPS allows designated immigrants to live and work legally in the United States. As of now, the Biden administration has made substantial progress in expanding this program, recognizing the humanitarian needs of affected populations. This latest extension reflects the ongoing debates surrounding immigration policy, particularly in the context of the transition of presidential administrations.
In summary, President Biden’s decision to extend deportation relief via the TPS program for immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan underscores a commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in the U.S. As the political landscape shifts with President Trump’s imminent return to office, the future of TPS remains uncertain. The call for broader eligibility highlights the advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring the well-being of immigrants facing dire circumstances in their home countries.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
