Irecently reportedon our ‘Temporary Protected Status‘ program which allows migrants who got in to the US through some other means to legally stay if some big catastrophe happens in their home country while they are here (sometimes illegally!). As I write, demonstrations are being held around the US in an effort to keep Haitians here, but another TPS designation is about to expire and that is the one for Ebola ‘refugees’ from the Obama 2014 TPS designation.
Here is the news from AP at US News:
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hundreds of people living in Minnesota are expected to lose the temporary immigration status they were given when the Ebola epidemic hit three West African countries three years ago.
Ebola epicenter. BTW, we allowed Liberians to stay here for years and years under another TPS designation when they had a civil war. My question is this: why are civil wars around the world our problem?
The Homeland Security Department granted temporary protected status to about 5,000 West Africans in 2014, allowing residents from the most impacted countries to live and work in the U.S. legally until the outbreak was contained, Minnesota Public Radio reported (http://bit.ly/2pSGWom ).
In 2016, the countries were declared Ebola-free. The temporary immigration status was originally issued for an 18-month period, but it got two six-month extensions, with the last one ending this Sunday.
Advocates say Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone are still recovering from the outbreak, so it’s not safe to go home yet.
But others say programs designed to be temporary should end.
I will be shocked if the Trump Administration actually sends these fake refugees back to Africa. This program is one of the most abused of our LEGAL immigration programs!
The next time one of your friends (or a politician) says, ‘I oppose illegal immigration, but am all for LEGAL immigration’ tell them they don’t know what they are talking about! Legal immigration has been so perverted by federal programs such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS)to make the word legal meaningless.
Once TPS is granted for a country, those here from that country NEVER go home. It is NOT temporary.
(Obama had already signed a short delay in the departure of West Africans, here.)
Not unexpectedly, however, an official request has been filed with the White House for a TPS (temporary refugee!) designation for citizens of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone which means that anyone in the US now (legally or illegally) from those three countries will not be required to leave.
The Ebola crisis could end next month and those granted TPS will be here for life (waiting for amnesty of course).
In Boston, Liberian human rights activist, Rev. Torli H. Krua said western countries must stop Ebola hysteria and save West Africans.
Boston, Massachusett – YOUNG-Africa Inc. on November 3, 2014 filed a petition seeking temporary protection for citizens of Ebola ravaged West African countries of Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone stranded in the United States. The petition filed at the White House, Washington, DC. called on President Barack Obama to immediately designate Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone as countries appropriate for Temporary Protected Status (TPS/DED).
The petition comes at a time when the Northeast United States experienced its first snowstorm that threatened the lives of individuals and families without adequate access to food, winter clothing and shelter.
Consistent with humanitarian norms of civilized societies, TPS/DED is a provision of the Immigration Act of 1990 (IMMACT), P.L. 101-649, established by the United States Congress to provide temporary work permits for immigrants in the United States who are temporarily unable to return to their home country because of ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Countries currently designated for TPS include: Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Haiti.
Clearly, the worst Ebola epidemic in the world ravaging West Africa and the impending harsh winter weather present a clear and present danger for West Africans stranded in America because of Ebola making the designation of TPS/DED a necessity. Speaking in Boston, Massachusetts on the occasion of the filing of the petition for TPS/DED, Liberian human rights activist, Rev. Torli H. Krua frowned on ignorant politicians who fan the flames of fear and discrimination by ignoring scientific facts about Ebola. “Rising Ebola fear, discrimination and hysteria sweeping across western countries are unnecessary, unjustifiable and counterproductive in the battle against Ebola.
By the way, Liberians already on TPS were supposed to be deported long ago, but politicians like Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, responding to pressure from Liberian lobbyists, keep them here with continued legal maneuvering. A new TPS designation now, due to fears that they will get Ebola if they go HOME, will give them the reprieve for years to come (as they wait for amnesty).
For more on TPS, see our archives here. Those on TPS are considered temporary refugees and can work, get drivers licenses, and receive benefits just like other refugees. The only thing they can’t do is vote, and they are probably doing that anyway!
