Durbin Statement on Temporary Protected Status for Syria

Press Release

US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Obama Administration announced that temporary protected status (TPS) would be extended to Syrian nationals currently in the United States. Such a designation allows Syrians living in the United States to temporarily stay because violence in their home country poses a serious threat to their safety. Durbin, along with Senators Leahy (D-VT), Feinstein (D-CA), Menendez (D-NJ), Cardin (D-MD) and Casey (D-PA) wrote to President Obama earlier this month requesting the designation.

"I strongly support today's extension of temporary protected status to Syrians and thank the Obama Administration for moving swiftly to help those who otherwise would be forced to return to one of the most violent places on earth," Durbin said. "Our nation's leadership in rallying the international community's condemnation of the Assad regime's brutal campaign of repression is important. Today's decision complements that leadership by sending a clear and positive signal to the Arab world about our concern for the suffering of innocent Syrian civilians."

Countries currently designated for temporary protected status are El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.

It is clearly too dangerous for Syrian nationals residing in the U.S. to return to Syria. The U.S. has suspended all embassy operations and all embassy personnel and their family members have left Syria due to the ongoing violence. A recent State Department travel advisory states: "The United States continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Syria and recommends that U.S. citizens in Syria depart immediately." Recently the Senate unanimously passed a resolution that "strongly condemns the Government of Syria's brutal and unjustifiable use of force against civilians, including unarmed women and children and its violations of the fundamental human rights and dignity of the people of Syria."

In FY2010, 8,427 visas were issued to Syrian nationals.

Durbin is the Senate's Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights.

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