Migration became the main issue in the last presidential elections. The border, the unauthorized entry of immigrants, the conflict with Mexico over the retention of migrants, the “dreamers”, those young people who seek DACA benefits and the imminent loss of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the coming months.
Therefore, in the face of greater dangers that sound imminent, D-13 Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez has presented a resolution to support the new designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras in his 2024-2025 Federal Legislative Program.
The resolution urges the Biden Administration to expand TPS protections as city leaders prepare for a second Trump administration, and the threat of mass deportations.
“We refuse to stand by and allow Donald Trump to deport our neighbors, family members, friends, and coworkers,” said Los Angeles Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez. “The Biden Administration still has the power to protect these families, and I implore President Biden to act now.”
Since 1990, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been a vital protection for Central American families, allowing them to build their lives and futures in the United States, without fear of deportation. Los Angeles is home to the largest Central American community in the country, and in recent years, the city has taken a leadership role in keeping families together and fighting for humane immigration policies.
“The Biden Administration still has the power to protect these families, and I implore President Biden to act now.”
In 2024, the Biden administration renewed TPS for Central American countries, however, those protections are currently set to expire in 2025. The Biden administration, however, still has the unilateral authority to redesign TPS for Central American countries, which would protect nearly 250,000 families with TPS living in the U.S. through 2026. With nearly 60,000 of these TPS holders living in California, and approximately 30,000 in Los Angeles, these protections are critical.
During the first Trump administration, TPS faced a myriad of legal challenges, creating insecurity for families and impacting neighborhoods, schools, and local economies that benefit from the contributions of Central American Angelenos.
“In these uncertain times, we must come together, organize, and fight to secure protections as soon as possible,” said Martha Arrevalo, Executive Director of the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN). “The urgency of upcoming TPS deadlines for countries like El Salvador cannot be overstated, especially with the incoming administration having previously attempted to end these programs. TPS is a lifeline for thousands of families. Together, we implore the Biden Administration to redesign TPS for Central American countries now.”
The full City Council will likely vote on the resolution in the coming weeks. If approved, support for TPS protections will be officially adopted into the City of Los Angeles’ 2024-2025 Federal Legislative Agenda.
Humanitarian parole, TPS and DACA: Everything is at stake in these elections
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