Letter to Jeh Johnson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Temporary Protected Status for African Ebola Victims

Letter

We write to request that you extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) registration period for eligible nationals of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea residing in the United States and that you increase community outreach to eligible registrants.

The 2014 ebola outbreak shocked and devastated communities throughout these West African nations. The entire world watched as thousands of victims tragically succumbed to this deadly disease. The death toll in the region has now surpassed 11,000.

Thanks to the forceful leadership of President Obama, and the actions of many non-governmental organizations, the international community and the impacted nations, progress has been made. We were relieved by the World Health Organization's recent declaration that the outbreak has ended in Liberia, but regional governments must remain vigilant, even with scarce resources, to contain and eventually eradicate this scourge.

As always, our country answered the call for help with compassion and generosity. We could not be prouder of the health care workers that risked their lives to help others during this crisis, and all who coordinated the international response.

Under your leadership, the Department of Homeland Security responded nimbly during this crisis: by protecting the American people from the spread of ebola at our ports and contributing to relief efforts through your November 2014 TPS designation for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. As you know, TPS is a temporary immigration benefit granted when ongoing civil conflict or an environmental disaster prevents individuals from returning safely to their home countries. We support your decision to grant this designation as a humane response to the ebola outbreak.

Many of these people reside in our home state of New York, and their chance to register for this important protection ends on May 20. Unfortunately, our constituents have reason to believe that a large number of eligible community members have not been made aware of the protection they might receive. Furthermore, it is our understanding that more could be done to reach those who speak only French or another non-English language.

We should not run the risk that otherwise eligible people might fall through the cracks. The situation in the region remains fragile, as evidenced by numerous past TPS designations granted to Liberia and Sierra Leone. These countries are not prepared to welcome a surge of residents back to their shores, so we must ensure that everyone who is eligible for TPS knows it.

For these reasons, we respectfully request that you extend the TPS registration period for eligible nationals from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and increase culturally competent outreach to eligible members of these communities.

Charles E. Schumer José E. Serrano
United States Senator Member of Congress

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