11/6/17 Decision deadline for 59,550 Hondurans and Nicaraguans: 3 DAYS
11/23/17 Decision deadline for 50,000 Haitians: 20 DAYS
01/08/18 Decision deadline for 195,000 Salvadorans: 66 DAYS
In a letter to Acting Secretary Elaine Duke, seven House Republicans call on the Department of Homeland Security to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans and Nicaraguans. The letter is signed by Representatives Valadao (CA-21), Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Curbelo (FL-26), Coffman (CO-6), King (NY-02), Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Hultgren (IL-14).
The full text of the letter follows below:
The Honorable Elaine C. Duke
Acting Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Duke,
We write to underline our strong support for the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for certain migrants who fled El Salvador and Honduras. Maintaining TPS status for these individuals will deter future migration to the United States by allowing the continued success of the U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America.
The U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America has made important strides in addressing anti-corruption, weak institutions, and insecurity in El Salvador and Honduras. However, the security situation in both countries is still very unstable, and their ability to sufficiently absorb an influx of returned migrants from the United States is incredibly limited. Both countries experience high levels of internal displacement, and the Northern Triangle region continues to see alanning rates of homicide and extortion, as well as widespread corruption.
Furthermore, ending TPS for Central Americans would have serious consequences on the already deficient economies of these countries. Remittances sent by Salvadoran and Honduran nationals abroad, including TPS holders, are equivalent to 17 percent of total GDP for both countries. These remittances provide significant investment in the Northern Triangle and, combined with direct U.S. investment, will continue to contribute to economic growth in the region.
The United States has made a significant investment to ensure stability in the Northern Triangle. As we continue to implement the U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America, it is important that we not disrupt the progress we have already made. Extending these designations will be beneficial to our ultimate goal – a self-sufficient Central America that can adequately meet the needs of its people.
It is for these reasons that we respectfully request you extend TPS designations for El Salvador and Honduras. This will uphold the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States in the Northern Triangle region. Thank you for your service to the United States and your consideration of this important request.
