Thirty mayors from across the country sent a letter to the Biden Administration requesting that they designate or redesignate 15 countries for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The countries include: Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Sudan.
The letter explains how designation and redesignation of TPS for these countries could offer protection from deportation as well as employment authorization for approximately 2 million immigrants currently residing in the US.
The letter emphasizes how TPS is a valuable tool that would protect many long-standing community members from being returned to dangerous country conditions and offer them critical employment authorization in the US., while also working towards advancing racial justice in local communities and facilitating Covid-19 recovery efforts.
New York, NY Mayor Bill de Blasio: “As we look to build a just recovery for our City, we must remember that many of our immigrant neighbors do not have stable immigration status. TPS designations for an additional 15 countries would provide peace of mind to these New Yorkers and their families. We urge President Biden to deliver this measure of stability for those who have sought out NYC and other cities across the nation for refuge.”
Boston, MA Mayor Kim Janey: “TPS provides vital humanitarian relief, most recently needed for the situations in Afghanistan and Haiti, and Boston is proud to lead this effort with Cities for Action and mayors from around the country. New TPS designations and redesignations will keep families together and authorize work opportunities, which means increased economic stability and contributions to all cities. This is crucial to Boston’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, and I urge the Biden administration to take swift action on TPS now.”
Philadelphia, PA Mayor Jim Kenney: “Philadelphia is home to many long-time residents that come from these 15 countries that have been impacted by war, trauma, civil unrest and climate catastrophes. Our country is more successful when we can provide protection from deportation and employment authorization to our residents so we can keep families together and they can provide for themselves and their families. These TPS designations will also advance racial justice within our immigration system as many of these countries have been left out by the prior administration’s xenophobic and racist policies. This is about course-correcting. Again, as local leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that all our residents feel safe and supported in our cities.”
