Trump administration revokes TPS

By Stephen Reeves

Fellowship Southwest remains alarmed and disturbed by the numerous anti-immigrant actions by the new administration. A summary of some of the major actions compiled by Elket Rodriguez can be found here. 

We lament the numerous reports of inhumane treatment of migrants we have sent to other countries such as Panama and El Salvador. Reports make clear that such deportations have been carried out without due process and perhaps in defiance of rulings by federal judges. Fortunately, the reckless use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 has been stopped by Federal courts, so far.

Last week President Trump also revoked the Temporary Protected Status of over 500,000 recent migrants from five countries – Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

While the TPS program is by definition temporary, there is little evidence that dangerous conditions in those countries have changed. Just as importantly, migrants relied upon the status to live and work legally in the US. By revoking TPS the President has essentially increased the number of undocumented immigrants with the stroke of a pen. 

Thousands of immigrants from these countries have been served by FSW border partners. TPS offered them a “right way,” a legal way, to enter the country, many of whom are pursuing asylum claims. FSW believes the US should honor our TPS commitments and allow the asylum process to play out. The immediate impact of the administration’s actions will be dependent on individual cases, but revocation of TPS status should not mean immediate deportation. 

With this latest action the president is once again making our vulnerable and desperate neighbors feel unwanted, unworthy, and unsafe. FSW staff members spoke to one family from Nicaragua. You can find their story here.