President Biden’s administration has renewed deportation relief for around 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan by extending the Temporary Protected Status program for an additional 18 months. This decision delays actions by President-elect Trump, who may seek to abolish these protections. Advocacy groups have urged for further expansions of TPS to include more countries.
On Friday, President Joe Biden’s administration announced a renewal of deportation relief for approximately 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan. This extension postpones any potential efforts by President-elect Donald Trump to eliminate these protections. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has now extended the enrollment in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for these countries, thereby providing a reprieve from deportation and work authorizations for an additional 18 months.
Since taking office in 2021, President Biden has significantly broadened the scope of TPS eligibility, now encompassing over one million individuals from 17 different nations. This status is designated for individuals from countries experiencing natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other exceptional circumstances. While Trump previously attempted to terminate TPS during his first term, U.S. courts obstructed these efforts. With his return to office on January 20, he is expected to pursue a stricter immigration policy once again, including a possible termination of existing TPS protections.
The Biden administration’s recent actions have not fulfilled all demands from activists and some Democratic lawmakers, who wished for a broader expansion of TPS to accommodate more recently arrived immigrants and individuals from additional countries. Advocacy groups, such as FWD.us, acknowledged that the extensions would benefit hundreds of thousands of individuals who contribute to their communities and sustain their families but stressed the need to further expand TPS eligibility to include nations like Nicaragua. Notably, approximately 600,000 Venezuelans are eligible for TPS, marking the largest demographic included in the program. This policy decision was influenced by the severe crime levels and instability in Venezuela under President Nicolas Maduro, who assumed a third term on Friday.
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program grants deferred deportation status to eligible individuals from countries facing significant hardships, allowing them to remain and work in the United States. Under the Biden administration, TPS has expanded to include a wider array of nations affected by civil unrest, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises. The program is particularly crucial for immigrants from Latin American and Eastern European countries currently facing dire situations. Previous administrations have varied in their approach to TPS, with contrasting policies affecting the number of individuals granted protection.
In conclusion, President Biden’s recent decision to extend deportation relief for 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan demonstrates his commitment to supporting vulnerable populations affected by crisis. Despite calls for a broader expansion of TPS, this move provides essential temporary relief and work authorization for these individuals, at least for the interim period. The implications of a potential Trump administration could pose further challenges to TPS holders, thus highlighting the importance of these protections.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
