Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto is urging the Biden administration to extend deportation protections and work permits for illegal immigrants in the U.S. in light of the upcoming mass deportation campaign by the incoming Trump administration. She emphasized the importance of using Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to shield nationals from countries deemed unsafe to return to. TPS has been utilized by the Biden administration to protect nationals from countries such as Haiti and Venezuela. Additionally, the Biden administration has worked to provide additional safeguards for individuals protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Cortez Masto stressed the importance of extending TPS statuses for individuals in the U.S. and quickly processing applications for DACA recipients. She highlighted the fact that these individuals are integral parts of their communities and called on the president to take the necessary legal action to ensure their continued protection. The previous Trump administration had attempted to end DACA and reduced the use of TPS, leading to uncertainty for many individuals. It is expected that the next administration may either terminate TPS for various nationalities or allow their protections to expire without renewal.
The senator pointed to the Trump campaign’s promise to launch a mass deportation campaign, which further underscores the need for extending TPS and providing additional protections for DACA recipients. Cortez Masto emphasized the importance of taking action to protect immigrant communities and ensure that families can stay together. The Biden administration has recently extended and redesignated TPS for Lebanese nationals, allowing new individuals to apply for protection under this program. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security estimated that around 11,000 Lebanese nationals would be eligible for both TPS and Deferred Enforcement Departure.
Overall, Cortez Masto is calling on the Biden administration to use its executive authority to safeguard immigrant families and protect vulnerable populations in the U.S. She highlights the importance of extending TPS for various nationalities and ensuring that DACA recipients have the ability to stay and contribute to the country they grew up in. By taking action to provide protections for these individuals, the administration can help bring certainty to their lives and prevent mass deportations that would tear families apart. The Biden administration’s recent moves to extend TPS for Lebanese nationals demonstrate a commitment to using executive authority to protect vulnerable populations and provide them with the necessary safeguards to remain in the U.S.
