Washington, DC – The Department of Homeland Security announced today the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan, and the extension and redesignation of TPS and Special Student Relief (SSR) for South Sudan. The member organizations of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) commend these decisions, but express continued concern for other Black migrants currently being excluded from protection, including Haitians, Cameroonians, Ethiopians, and Mauritanians in the United States, and Black migrants attempting to flee Ukraine.
During the State of the Union address, President Biden discussed a faster legal process for people seeking safety in the United States. While efficiency is critical–particularly considering the current asylum backlog–the president must not forget equity. As part of our faith-grounded call to restore welcome and put an end to anti-Black racism in U.S. immigration, people of faith in the IIC urge the administration to take today’s decisions a step further by granting TPS to Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Mauritania, and putting an end to asylum-blocking policies, Remain in Mexico and Title 42.
“This is a welcome decision from the administration as these regions continue to endure instability and limited access to humanitarian aid,” said Elissa Diaz, IIC Chair and Policy and Advocacy Manager at Church World Service. “We commend the TPS designation and redesignation of Sudan and South Sudan knowing that it is because of the leadership of Black-led and other immigrant groups that we can both celebrate today’s announcements and press forward in our collective demands for justice and protection for other Black migrants. We hope that our Sudanese and South Sudanese neighbors in the U.S. feel some relief today, and we urge the administration to afford this same relief to other Black migrants seeking protection in the U.S. We urge the administration to swiftly publish the decision, grant TPS to other Black-majority countries including Cameroon, Mauritania and Ethiopia, among others, end anti-Black, anti-asylum policies, and commit to welcoming all people with dignity.”
“As part of the announcement on this critically-needed humanitarian relief, CLINIC particularly applauds DHS for announcing it will publish the decision on South Sudan in the Federal Register tomorrow, March 3rd, when the decision is due under law,” said Lisa Parisio, Director of Advocacy at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. “Delays in publishing official TPS decisions in the Federal Register under the previous and current administrations have had serious consequences for the people these protections are intended to benefit. Late Federal Register Notices, compounded by processing delays at USCIS, can leave people without access to the documents they need to work, obtain drivers’ licenses, and meet other basic needs of daily life. These are essential parts of the stability and security that TPS is supposed to provide. We are glad to see this announcement for South Sudan in the Federal Register and hope to see more timely notices in the future.”
Parisio added, “TPS for Black-majority countries can be particularly crucial in meeting the Congressional intent of TPS to save lives. As a protection for all nationals of a country, as opposed to a case-by-case determination, TPS can serve as a safety net, saving the lives of people who slip through cracks in our asylum system, including due to systemic racism.”
“Franciscan Action Network welcomes the life-saving designation of TPS for Sudan and extension and redesignation of TPS for South Sudan,” said Sister Marie Lucey, Associate Director of Franciscan Action Network. “At the same time, we urge similar protections for other Black migrants from Cameroon, Mauritania, and Ethiopia. During this Lenten Season, when Christians are called to pray, fast, and give alms, we continue to join the Haitian Bridge Alliance and other Black-led groups in urging the Biden administration to end deportations and terminate Title 42 which block asylum seekers from seeking protection at our southern border. Our faith calls us to honor human dignity and to protect life.”
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants. Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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