Biden Extends Deportation Relief for 900,000 Immigrants under TPS
President Biden has extended Temporary Protected Status for 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan for another 18 months, delaying efforts by President-elect Trump to end these protections. This move has received mixed responses, with advocacy groups asking for broader TPS coverage.
On Friday, President Joe Biden’s administration announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 900,000 immigrants hailing from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan. This renewal provides a 18-month reprieve from deportation and permits access to work permits, effectively delaying any potential move by President-elect Donald Trump to rescind these protections. Since Biden assumed office in 2021, he has considerably expanded TPS eligibility, now encompassing over one million individuals from 17 nations struck by crises such as natural disasters and conflicts.
The decision comes as Trump prepares to assume office again on January 20, promising a rigorous immigration enforcement approach. Notably, during his previous term, Trump attempted to terminate TPS enrollment but faced legal challenges that prevented him from doing so. Although the recent announcement from the Biden administration bolsters the security of many immigrants, it does not fully align with demands from activists and some Democratic leaders to broaden TPS to cover more recent arrivals and individuals from additional countries.
Among the affected groups, an estimated 600,000 Venezuelans benefit from TPS, the largest demographic encompassed by the program. The Biden administration previously granted this status to Venezuelans due to the significant turmoil and violence that followed their country’s ongoing political and economic crises under President Nicolás Maduro, who began his third term recently.
Future discussions regarding immigration policy are expected as Trump’s team reviews the implications of this extension. Advocacy groups like FWD.us have commended the relief offered but also continue to press for TPS expansion into other regions, such as Nicaragua, reflecting a broader push for more inclusive immigration protections.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program in the United States that allows individuals from designated countries that are experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to remain in the U.S. and work legally. Under President Biden, the TPS program has been significantly expanded, providing protection to a wide range of immigrants. This extension reflects a commitment to support those from countries facing severe challenges and to prevent the displacement of individuals who have established their lives in the U.S.
The extension of Temporary Protected Status for nearly 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan signifies a significant humanitarian commitment by President Biden’s administration. This move not only helps protect vulnerable individuals from deportation but also allows them to continue contributing to the U.S. economy. However, calls from advocacy groups urge the administration to further expand TPS to support additional countries, reflecting ongoing concerns about immigration and humanitarian relief.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
