The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies opposes the White House decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadorans. NJHSA remains firm in our view that our nation was founded with values of respect for all and that our country should remain a source of comfort and refuge for all who are in need of a safe haven. As an international Network of human service providers, we work each day to protect and support the most vulnerable among us and cannot remain silent while innocent TPS holders are uprooted from their US communities and separated from their families. TPS holders came to the US seeking shelter from countries which have been devastated by conflict, disaster, or other extraordinary circumstances which make it unsafe for their return. We urge the administration and Congress to support legislation that would ensure stability for TPS recipients who have lived here for many years, would face extreme hardship if deported, or are otherwise eligible for permanent residence.
June Gutterman and Jim Kahn, Co-Chairs
Reuben D. Rotman, President & CEO
Background
Nearly 200,000 Salvadorans, who came to the United States after two devastating earthquakes struck their country in 2001, will be obligated to return to El Salvador by September 2019, according to a newly released US Department of Homeland Security directive. The TPS program was established by Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, to provide legal status and work authorization to people already in the U.S., whether they entered legally or not, from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disaster or other strife. In March 2001, President George W. Bush granted TPS for Salvadorans residing in the U.S. for an initial period of 18 months, and that designation has been renewed 11 times.