They automatically obtain an extension of their stay in the country for a year pending a decision in the Circuit Court Ninth
When Salvadoran Verónica Lagunas arrived home, her son hugged her tightly and said, "Mom one more year."
For her son born in the United States, an extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for her mother represents another year of tranquility. “We are always with whether or not they will extend it,” says this Salvadoran, who has two children born in the United States.
This week, President Trump's administration extended the TPS to beneficiaries in six countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Sudan, Nepal and Haiti.
“The extension of the TPS gives us more time to continue fighting,” says Verónica. But it makes it very clear that they no longer want extensions of this program but permanent residence because it has become very difficult to cope with the uncertainty of knowing if they will renew it again or not.
“The psychological damage in TPSian families is very strong. Our children live worried. They don't want to be separated from their parents, ”he says. Veronica, mother of a 15 year old son and a 10 year old daughter.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the automatic extension of the TPS for one year. It also guarantees the beneficiaries of Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan that they will maintain their status for six months in case the decision in the Ramos vs. Nielsen lawsuit does not favor them while the beneficiaries of El Salvador will be granted one year. .
Mardoel Hernández, who has been protected by the TPS for 20 years, and for two years began to fight within the National Alliance for permanent residence for the beneficiaries, says the announcement of extension is no generosity of the Trump administration.
"It is the result of a lawsuit we filed last year in the Ninth Circuit of San Francisco, and in which the federal judge ruled in favor of the TPS, arguing that the rights of 270 thousand children were violated," he says.
And remember that as the Trump administration appealed that decision of the Court, they are waiting for a decision. "Today's announcement is ahead of that ruling that if it comes out in favor it gives them a temporary benefit while waiting for Congress and the Senate to act," he says.
He says they should take advantage of the time to organize and ask legislators to give TPSians residence on the way to citizenship.
“We are talking about 450,000 families at risk. It is an urgent need; and we need the community to get involved. I know we can do it, ”he says.
Carmen Sánchez is a Salvadoran, protected by the TPS for 19 years for whom the extension of this program means another year of respite.
“It gives me peace of mind and I hope that next time the residence is not a permit,” she says enthusiastically.
José Palma, national coordinator of the TPS Alliance says that the expansion of this program shows that when the community joins to fight, justice wins. "The lawsuit against the racist elimination of Trump continues to be a lifesaver for TPS beneficiaries fighting for a permanent solution," he says.
Meanwhile Jessica Bansal, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, and the Ramos and Bhattarai lawsuit against Nielsen, states that as required by a court order, automatic extensions of legal status and work permits for TPS beneficiaries of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan will continue to be announced at regular intervals at least until there is a final decision in the complaint.
“These temporary extensions do not give those protected with the TPS the permanent protection they deserve. Only Congress can do it. That is why the organization and defense of beneficiaries and allies is essential, ”he says.
In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security announced the cancellation of the TPS not only for El Salvador but for Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan, which triggered a deep sense of uncertainty among hundreds of thousands of families who fear being separated from their loved ones.
Hondurans for whom the TPS ended on January 5, 2020, now have an extension until January 4, 2021. El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan were defeated on January 2, 2020. They now have an extension until January 4, 2021. The Nepalenses were extended from January 5, 2020 to January 4, 2021.
