Washington, DC – The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) condemns the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end TPS for Haitians by providing final 18-month extension. This action runs counter to the well-documented reports of precarious conditions in Haiti, including the earthquakes, hurricanes, poverty, compromised infrastructure, and vulnerability to natural disasters that continues to drive tens of thousands of women, children, and families to flee their homes. It is unconscionable to return Haitians to a country unable to receive them.
This is the third termination of TPS in three months. It is increasingly clear that this decision is based not on the statute, which requires a careful assessment of country conditions, but on this Administration’s determination to drive settled immigrants out of the country. This action is simply a continuation of the Administration’s xenophobic agenda and lack of commitment to protect immigrants and people of color, as evidenced by his Executive Orders, Tweets, advisors and legislative agenda. It is essential that Congress steps up to enact a permanent solution for Haitians and others with TPS. CARECEN urges members of Congress to support the many legislative efforts that have been introduced, including proposals that enjoy strong bipartisan support.
The next major TPS decision, due on January 8th, 2018, will affect nearly 200,000 nationals of El Salvador. We call on DHS to acknowledge the Salvadoran government’s inability to accommodate such a massive influx of people, given the country’s violence, vulnerability to drug trafficking, and weak government institutions.
There is a human cost to ending TPS, and that cost affects families, neighbors, friends, parishioners, and entire communities. CARECEN stands with TPS holders and will fight to ensure they can remain in the U.S. with their families. CARECEN will collaborate with local partners ensure TPS beneficiaries protect the assets they have worked so hard to acquire in the last 20+ years. CARECEN will also work through all available legal channels to seek individual protections for TPS holders, and continue to work with local governments and leaders to establish policies and resolutions to protect TPS beneficiaries and their families.
