Biden Extends Deportation Relief for 900,000 Immigrants Under TPS Program

President Biden’s administration has extended deportation relief for 900,000 immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan for an additional 18 months. This renewal aims to protect these individuals from deportation and allows them access to work permits. Activists continue to urge for broader TPS eligibility as the administration braces for a potential shift in policy from the incoming Trump administration.

On a recent Friday, President Joe Biden’s administration announced the extension of deportation relief under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 900,000 immigrants stemming from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan. This extension grants these individuals a reprieve from deportation and permits them to continue working legally in the United States for an additional 18 months. This decision effectively delays any plans by President-elect Donald Trump to revoke these protections upon taking office.

Since assuming the presidency in 2021, President Biden has significantly expanded the eligibility criteria for TPS, now covering over one million immigrants from a total of 17 countries facing humanitarian crises. Previously, during his term, President Trump had attempted to terminate many TPS protections but was hindered by legal challenges. As he returns to the White House with promises of a stricter immigration policy, there are concerns that he may seek to eliminate most TPS protections swiftly.

While the Biden administration’s recent actions have garnered support from many advocacy organizations, there remains a call for broader measures. Activists have urged the administration to not only extend TPS for vulnerable populations but also to consider applying it to newly arrived immigrants and those from additional countries. The TPS program currently includes about 600,000 Venezuelans, reflecting the severity of the situation in their home country, marked by significant political unrest and economic instability under the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program was established to provide humanitarian relief to immigrants whose home countries have been subjected to extraordinary conditions, such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or other humanitarian crises. This program allows eligible immigrants to remain in the United States legally and provides work permits, essential for their ability to support themselves and their families. Under President Biden, there has been a notable increase in the number of countries and individuals eligible for TPS, prompting discussions around the future of immigration policies, especially with the impending transition of power to a Republican administration.

In summary, President Biden’s recent renewal of deportation relief for 900,000 immigrants under the TPS program signifies a continued commitment to humanitarian aid in the face of political and social challenges. As discussions around immigration policy evolve, the administration faces pressure to expand protections further. With the potential return of stricter immigration measures under President-elect Trump, the future of TPS remains uncertain for many vulnerable populations who rely on this protection.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com