New York, NY – Below is a statement from Jessica Orozco Guttlein, Acting Co-President of Hispanic Federation, regarding the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of people from Nicaragua and Honduras:
“For 25 years Honduran and Nicaraguan TPS recipients have built lives, significantly contributed to the U.S. economy, strengthened communities throughout the country, and raised their children – many of whom are US citizens. Today’s decision by the Trump administration to revoke TPS from Nicaraguans and Hondurans residing in the United States is nothing but shameful. It forces more than 50,000 people who have continuously lived in this country for more than two decades to make an impossible choice: to live in the shadows or to return to a country where political and societal unrest threatens their lives.
Given the choice, most people would choose to live in their home countries and stay with their loved ones. Unfortunately, TPS recipients do not have that option. Many were forced to move because of violence or economic turmoil. They made the difficult decision to leave their homes in search of refuge. In the decades since, they have built lives, connections, and communities, enjoying the fulfillment of an American promise that has now been broken.
TPS is a lawful and lifesaving lifeline for hundreds of thousands of individuals who are fleeing political instability, rampant violence, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises in their countries. Those who have chosen the United States as their site of safe harborage deserve our country’s support.
We recognize that real, long-lasting results on immigration can only be achieved through Congressional action, not executive actions. Hispanic Federation calls on Congress to pass one of the many proposed legislative solutions that provides a path to permanent status for TPS holders who are long-standing contributors to our nation’s economy and culture.”
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Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
