Torres Statement on TPS for Nicaragua and Honduras

Press Release

Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) released the following statement in reaction to the Department of Homeland Security's refusal to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for citizens of Nicaragua and its failure to make a determination with regard to TPS for Honduran nationals:

"I am deeply disappointed by the Department of Homeland Security's decision to remove protection from more than two thousand Nicaraguan nationals, as well as the failure to commit to extending TPS for the 57,000 Hondurans who are currently protected.

Many of the TPS holders from Nicaragua and Honduras have been working and living here for more than a decade. They are law-abiding, upstanding members of our communities, who have undergone repeated vetting and background checks. They pay taxes and contribute to social security. Many have businesses and property; asking them to return to their home country and start a new life in a matter of twelve months is impractical, as well as unfair.

Ending TPS designations would cause significant harm, not only to the TPS holders themselves, but also to the thousands of families, businesses, and churches that depend on them. Furthermore, it would undermine the long-term security interests of the United States in Central America, where most TPS holders are from. We would then see the impacts at our own borders.

There is no sound policy reason for kicking these people out of our country. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has chosen to ignore reason and reality. The Nicaraguan TPS holders who just lost protection today have twelve months before they lose their protection; the Honduran TPS holders will be in limbo for the next six months as they await DHS' final decision. It is now clearer than ever: we cannot rely on this administration to extend the remaining TPS designations. Congress must act swiftly to provide protection for TPS holders. The clock is ticking.

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