WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and allies are warning of the irreparable harm to U.S. citizens and long-term residents if the Trump administration does not renew El Salvador’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation.
Reps. Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Eugene Vindman (VA-07) on Thursday joined a round table hosted by the CHC in cooperation with the National TPS Alliance, CARECEN-LA, Alianza Americas, NDLON, FWD.us, SEIU, and IUPAT, where TPS holders and their U.S. citizen relatives warned of the dangers of not renewing the designation.
TPS for El Salvador has been active since 2001, meaning all Salvadoran TPS holders have been in the United States for at least 25 years. These essential members of our community are fully vetted, have completed background checks, have maintained clean criminal record for a quarter century, have worked with the federal government’s authorization, and have complied with every rule the United States government has set for them.
In July, 80 Democratic members of Congress called on DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to extend TPS for Salvadorans rather than return them to a country they described as plagued by documented state-sponsored human rights abuses and lacking the capacity to support a diaspora of tens of thousands. This month, more than 270 faith leaders and organizations echoed that call, urging the administration to maintain protections for Salvadoran TPS holders.
“Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has a choice to make: He can renew TPS for El Salvador, strengthening families, communities and our nation’s economy, or he can wreak havoc on the lives of 170,000 fully vetted Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries and the 277,000 U.S. citizens — including 150,000 children — who live with them,” said CHC Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
Communities throughout the country will be gutted if these TPS beneficiaries suddenly lose their right to live and work in the United States — the pain will be felt in blue states and red states alike. The CHC calls on all Members to have the courage to stand up for their community.
On Thursday, Vargas and Vindman shared their own immigrant experience and listened as TPS beneficiaries and their families described their hopes, aspirations and fear in the face of uncertainty.
One TPS beneficiary showed 12 Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) — the cards he has diligently renewed to comply with U.S. immigration laws.
The Members also heard from sons and daughters of TPS holders — U.S. citizens in grade school, college and early in their professional careers who have grown up in households protected by TPS.
“25 years is not temporary, 25 years is my entire life,” said one TPS beneficiary’s daughter.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is 44 members strong. The CHC serves as a forum for the Hispanic Members of Congress to coalesce around a collective legislative agenda. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information, please visit chc.house.gov.