Renewed Deportation Relief for Immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan
Administration Extends Temporary Protected Status Program
The President Joe Biden’s administration has renewed deportation relief for 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan. This move would delay any attempts by President-elect Donald Trump to sunset those protections. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended enrollment in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for those nations, giving those immigrants a deportation reprieve and access to work permits for an additional 18 months.
Biden’s Expansion of TPS Program
Biden, a Democrat, has greatly increased the number of immigrants eligible for TPS since taking office in 2021. The status, which is available to people whose home country has experienced a natural disaster, armed conflict or other extraordinary event, now covers more than 1 million people from 17 nations.
Trump’s Previous Attempts to End TPS Program
Trump, a Republican returning to the White House on Jan. 20, sought to end most TPS enrollment during his 2017-2021 term in office but was stymied by U.S. courts. Trump won another term in office promising a vast immigration crackdown and again is expected to try to terminate most TPS protections. Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Biden Administration’s Move Stopped Short of Sweeping Demands
The Biden administration’s moves on Friday stopped short of more sweeping demands by activists and some Democrats to grant TPS to more recently arrived immigrants and those from other nations. Todd Schulte, president of advocacy group FWD.us, said the extensions would allow hundreds of thousands of people to continue “contributing to their communities, supporting their families, and strengthening the economy” but also urged Biden to expand TPS to Nicaragua and other nations.
Impact on Venezuelans
Some 600,000 Venezuelans are eligible for TPS, the biggest population in the program. The Biden administration, which first granted Venezuelans the status in 2021, cited high levels of crime in Venezuela related to political and economic instability under President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn in for a third term on Friday.
Conclusion
The renewed deportation relief for immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan is a significant move by the Biden administration. While it may delay Trump’s attempts to sunset those protections, it is unclear what the future holds for TPS program under the new administration.
FAQs
Q: What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
A: TPS is a program that allows immigrants who are temporarily unable to return to their home country due to natural disasters, armed conflict, or other extraordinary events to remain in the United States.
Q: Who is eligible for TPS?
A: Immigrants from 17 nations, including Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan, are currently eligible for TPS.
Q: What are the benefits of TPS?
A: TPS recipients are granted deportation relief and access to work permits, allowing them to contribute to their communities and support their families.
Q: What is the future of the TPS program under the new administration?
A: It is unclear what the future holds for the TPS program under the new administration. Trump has previously sought to end most TPS enrollment, but was stymied by U.S. courts.