Today is the national day of action for temporary protected status (TPS) — a major mobilization where advocates are demanding justice and a permanent solution for TPS holders from 13 countries.
The Trump Administration is slowly ending TPS for hundreds of thousands of longtime residents, by cancelling or failing to redesignate TPS for countries whose deadlines come up. Soon, this could mean deportation for immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for decades, and upheaval for their American children and families. Some 270,000 U.S.-citizen children have at least one parent who is a TPS holder.
Today, the National TPS Alliance barnstormed Washington, D.C. with hundreds of advocates, supporters, and families to visit Congressional offices and let members of Congress know why a permanent solution for TPS holders is needed. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) and Ayana Pressley (D-IL) joined the advocates at a rally and march outside the White House (through the rain and cold) this morning.
As Jose Palma, a TPS Holder from El Salvador and spokesperson with the National TPS Alliance said in a press statement:
The TPS Alliance stands with all TPS holders and are fighting for a permanent solution for our families. Anything less than a permanent solution is a slap-in-the face to the decades we have given to this country, contributed and to the lives we have built.
View just some of the photos and videos from the day of action, below:
Thank you @RepJoeKennedy for listening to #TPS holders' concerns & reaffirming your support! Time is short to prevent a lot of pain in our communities. #ResidencyNow pic.twitter.com/enym5k66jy
— MIRA Coalition (@MIRACoalition) February 12, 2019
Highlight of visit to Rep. @KatherineClark: After listening intently to personal stories, she made it clear that with shift of power in Congress, it's time to act to protect #TPS holders. pic.twitter.com/EL9wteI19A
— MIRA Coalition (@MIRACoalition) February 12, 2019
Olga has #TPS protection, is a proud @SEIU member, lives and works in #TX29. She is one of many TPS recipients who are fighting to pass meaningful reform. I met with her and her fellow TPS recipients from Massachusetts today. pic.twitter.com/p5EwwTIHcy
— Rep. Sylvia Garcia (@RepSylviaGarcia) February 12, 2019
Rain or shine, our fellow advocates will stop at nothing to demand protection for more than 400,000 TPS facing deportation and family separation. #TPSJustice #SaveTPS #ResidencyNow pic.twitter.com/E9c6dpTcXw
— CLINIC (@cliniclegal) February 12, 2019
Strong Nepali representation in our meeting with U.S. Rep. @KatherineClark on #TPS. Often forgotten but their status ends June 24. Deep troubles imminent. pic.twitter.com/nmcczxDrhC
— MIRA Coalition (@MIRACoalition) February 12, 2019
1/ Yesterday afternoon I met w/ #Salvadoran & #Honduran #TPS holders from #Massachusetts who are here in Washington to demand #TPSJustice.
It’s vital that we listen to & lift up the voices of families & communities that are being hurt by this administration. pic.twitter.com/4K9cj0wRrT
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) February 12, 2019
📞 Call to #SaveTPS because #FamiliesBelongTogether https://t.co/Xud7zysKZ2
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) February 12, 2019
Ending TPS would put more than 400,000 TPS holders and their families at risk for deportation. Advocates took to the streets of D.C. today to demand permanent protection for these workers and families. #TPSJustice #SaveTPS #ResidencyNow pic.twitter.com/PeDcrBE7Ut
— Advancing Justice – AAJC (@AAAJ_AAJC) February 12, 2019
In the cold & rain ☔️ because this is URGENT! Some TPS holders could start losing legal status as soon as April if Congress doesn’t act quickly to #ProtectTPS. Join us in demanding a permanent solution for TPS families: https://t.co/NklPBRjZ9p
#TPSjustice pic.twitter.com/kX18djke0R— iAmerica Action (@iAmericaAction) February 12, 2019
Great to walk into a brand-new Congresswoman's office & have a substantive conversation on #TPS with a well-informed senior staffer! #ResidencyNow #TPSJustice @RepLoriTrahan pic.twitter.com/efyHKn6LdP
— MIRA Coalition (@MIRACoalition) February 12, 2019
We agree! #TPSJustice https://t.co/E4Hek8UsyM
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) February 12, 2019
#TPS holders have a right to remain and are asking congress to ensure permanent residency for our families. #ResidencyNOW pic.twitter.com/HeLjKh4adH
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) February 12, 2019
Hundreds gather at the #TPSMarch today in Washington to call for permanent protections for TPS families #TPSJustice pic.twitter.com/QPUnFptt2u
— OxfamAmerica (@OxfamAmerica) February 12, 2019
America’s mothers call on Congress to enact legislation that affirms the dignity of immigrant women & children and of our nation. We stand with TPS holders and their fight to stay with their families and continue building their lives in the U.S. #SaveTPS #TPSJustice pic.twitter.com/YyZAqkm4oI
— MomsRising (@MomsRising) February 12, 2019
HAPPENING NOW: @TPS_Alliance outside the White House calling for protection and a path to permanent residency for #TPS holders. #Haiti Represent! #TPSJUSTICE #ResidencyNow pic.twitter.com/IdN95GXArk
— BAJI (@BAJItweet) February 12, 2019
HAPPENING NOW: Over a thousand working people are at the U.S. capitol, demanding Congress take action to #SaveTPS and create permanent protections that give residency to immigrant youth and TPS holders. #TPSJustice
WATCH LIVE HERE: https://t.co/XpSOR7z4qu
— UndocuBlack Network (@UndocuBlack) February 12, 2019
Rep. @AOC: "We are a nation that builds from many … we are here to make sure that all #TPS recipients become permanent members of the United States of America." https://t.co/ylVIdcVuMp #SaveTPS #ProtectTPS #TPSJustice
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) February 12, 2019
.@RepPressley “we will not negotiate against one another, we will not leave anyone behind – we want #TPSjustice! Thank you for your sacrifice and thank you for your unity.” pic.twitter.com/DVGq6Ysxdm
— Nat’l TPS Alliance (@TPS_Alliance) February 12, 2019
TODAY 👉🏽: In major show of support, Rep. @AOC, @RepPressley to join rallies in DC calling for permanent protections for #TPS recipients. #TPSJustice #SaveTPS #ProtectTPS pic.twitter.com/iG12DlvH6k
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) February 12, 2019
Right outside the Trump International Hotel: a sea of #TPS holders & allies. "Trump, listen, we're fighting." #ResidencyNow pic.twitter.com/ZnYHCMWrMF
— MIRA Coalition (@MIRACoalition) February 12, 2019
Daughter of TPS holder at rally in front of the White House: "I don't want any kids to get separated from their own family. I don't want that for my own family."
"In three years," she says, "I'm going to vote." https://t.co/Ww48EjjwRZ pic.twitter.com/fDwP92Qeun
— Nightline (@Nightline) February 12, 2019
We're here outside the @WhiteHouse calling for #ResidencyNow for #TPS holders. pic.twitter.com/kbdiEyaFZI
— MIRA Coalition (@MIRACoalition) February 12, 2019
HAPPENING NOW: TPS Alliance outside the White House calling for protection and a path to permanent residency for TPS holders pic.twitter.com/9ree8IWkkz
— CWS (@CWS_global) February 12, 2019
Haitians singing on the final stretch of our trip to Washington. Energized & ready for our #TPS mobilization for #ResidencyNow. https://t.co/ooCnwcFajC pic.twitter.com/iJGqQ0eODO
— MIRA Coalition (@MIRACoalition) February 12, 2019
Our big day is here, join us starting at 9 am, at the White House, as we march for the Justice of the TPS Community 👊🏾✊🏽. #TPSMarch #TPSJustice #ResidencyNow #ProtectTPSFamilies #TpsPeoplesSummit pic.twitter.com/KIrsBiXBHP
— Nat’l TPS Alliance (@TPS_Alliance) February 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheToddSchulte/status/1094954693258817536
We’re in front of the White House to show up for TPS families. Call your representatives TODAY for #TPSJustice. https://t.co/4JSAxnetnb
— Advancing Justice – AAJC (@AAAJ_AAJC) February 12, 2019
To learn more about TPS, check out our backgrounder here or check out our video:
