The Trump Administration Extends TPS for 250 Somalis

July 19th, 2018

NEW YORK, NY – Today, the Trump Administration announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis living in the U.S. This decision impacts 250 people. Individuals from Somalia with TPS will be eligible to re-register for an extension of their status through March 17th, 2020.

“Hundreds of Somali refugees have rebuilt their lives here in New York, contributing to our state’s social and economic fabric, yet must live in constant limbo of having it all taken away. We call on Congress to work together to enact a long-term solution for hardworking, tax-paying immigrants impacted by today’s decision — and those from Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal still facing forced deportation,” said Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration.

Background:

Temporary Protected Status is a designation afforded to nationals of countries experiencing humanitarian crisis such as violent conflict, environmental disasters, or epidemics that would prevent nationals from returning safely.

Somalia is plagued by widespread violence due to clashes between Al-Shabaab, clan militias, African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM), and the Somali National Army. The government of Somalia, due to the state of affairs in the country, is unable to to fully secure the safety of Somali nationals, both current inhabitants and potential returnees. As of January 2018, there were more than two million internally displaced people in Somalia. As of March 2018, 5.4 million people are still in need of emergency assistance throughout the country, including more than 300,000 children who are at risk of starvation.

As of today, there are an estimated 325,000 TPS recipients living in the United States, representing ten TPS-designated countries: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Over 30,000 TPS recipients reside in New York.

The New York Immigration Coalition is encouraging supporters of TPS to call their congressional representatives at 202-224-3121 and demand a long-term legislative solution.

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