NYIC Slams Trump Admin’s Decision to Terminate TPS for Sudan

September 19th, 2017

Yesterday, the Trump administration terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudanese people. TPS is a designation given to nationals of countries experiencing humanitarian crises, such as environmental disasters or epidemics, which prevent nationals from returning safely.

Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) responded:

"The Trump Administration's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 1,000 Sudanese people living in the United States is cruel and shameful. These are people who've built families and businesses, contributed to their communities and local economies. Many have been here for decades. America will not be greater or safer by sending them back to Sudan. We urge the Administration to renew TPS for the remaining eight countries for the full 18 months and reverse yesterday’s decision."

Background

Sudan received Temporary Protected Status (TPS) status in November 1997, and South Sudan received it in November 2011.

In May, The Trump administration extended TPS for Haiti for six months. About 435,000 people, from 10 countries, currently have legal status under TPS. People with TPS from these countries were all granted legal status and have been required to undergo law enforcement background checks every 18 months to continue living and working here legally. The Department of Homeland Security has the power to extend, renew or terminate TPS.

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The New York Immigration Coalition is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State that work with immigrants and refugees.The NYIC aims to achieve a fairer and more just society that values the contributions of immigrants and extends opportunity to all by promoting immigrants’ full civic participation, fostering their leadership, and providing a unified voice and a vehicle for collective action for New York’s diverse immigrant communities.