Washington, D.C—Today, the Cameroon Advocacy Network and TPS-DED-Administrative Advocacy Coalition delivered a letter to the White House from 144 state, local, and national immigrant, labor, faith, civil rights, and legal organizations regarding racial inequity in the delay and grant of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for countries of predominantly Black and Brown immigrants. Multiple Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) partner organizations were included among the signatories.
The letter urges an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the White House, Department of State, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) into the racial and political bias in TPS decision-making. Conducting a comprehensive audit and investigation of the administration’s internal regulatory and sub-regulatory policies regarding the utilization of TPS is necessary, considering that it has led to disparate racial impacts in how and which countries are designated and when. The letter is delivered as community leaders convene for a week of action to mount pressure on Congress and the Biden Administration on the urgency to grant temporary protected status to countries in need.
The letter states:
“With the continuing delay and possible failure to pass meaningful immigration reform via Congress, it is more important than ever for the administration to use the full breadth of its executive power to provide essential humanitarian protections. If the Biden administration wants to keep its campaign promises to build a better immigration system, TPS is one of the few remaining tools for bold and immediate change.
Congress created TPS as a mechanism to provide immediate relief to those who cannot and should not be returned to dangerous conditions. Bold use of TPS remains in line with both the letter and spirit of the program. These designations will not only benefit millions of individuals in the United States, but also their families, employers, and communities here and in their countries of origin.”
Read the full letter and complete list of signatories here.
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
Cameroon Advocacy Network is a coalition of organizations and activists across the United States and Cameroon, advocating for the freedom and dignity of Cameroonians. We stand in solidarity with all Black immigrants fighting for liberation.
The TPS-DED AAC is a national coalition of more than 100 organizations with deep expertise in law and policy surrounding TPS and DED. Member organizations range from community-based organizations directly serving impacted communities in the United States to international NGOs, working in and providing insight from affected countries.
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Photo by: Mike DuBose, United Methodist News Service