Congress Must Also Work to Pass Permanent Protections for Hundreds of Thousands of TPS Holders in Limbo
The following is a statement from Pili Tobar, Deputy Director of America’s Voice, on the passage of a long awaited measure within the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that includes an amendment offering a path to citizenship for Liberians with Deferred Enforced Departure (DED):
This long awaited win for Liberian DED holders and their families is a direct result of the advocacy of immigrants, advocates and communities across the country who have fought tirelessly so that these Americans in everything but name can continue to call the United States their home.
After the Trump administration tried its hardest to separate these families and send Liberian DED holders back to unstable and dangerous conditions, Liberian immigrants stood up and fought back. We stand in celebration beside the hard working organizations such as African Communities Together and The UndocuBlack Network, who have organized and fought endlessly to lift up the courage of Liberian DED holders in their fight to stay here in the U.S.
A path to citizenship and permanent residency here in the U.S. will afford hard-working immigrants the security and certainty to live their lives with their families under the roofs they own, the businesses they run, in the communities they love.
This is a momentus win, but there is still work to be done to protect the hundreds of thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and their families living in fear of family separation and deportation to countries in the midst of instability. While celebrating this moment for Liberian DED communities, we urge the Senate to take the next step and pass permanent protections and a path to citizenship for TPS holders and their families who are well-deserving of the same certainty and security.
