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United States Must Extend Temporary Protected Status for Somalis
Posted on Jul 13 2018
July 13, 2018 – As Somalia struggles with civil strife and bombings, the United States must extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis living here with that status. Their TPS is set to expire on September 18, 2018. The Department of Homeland Security will issue a decision on whether or not it will extend TPS by July 19.
Temporary Protected Status for Somalis was first established in 1991, and has been extended since then. The U.S State Department tells Americans not to travel to war-torn Somalia, warning that if you do go to Somalia, you should first make a will, leave a DNA sample (presumably so your remains can be identified), and “discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.”
When Somali TPS was last extended in 2016, the Federal Register notice said, “Somalia continues to experience a complex protracted emergency that is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.” The situation inside Somalia has not significantly improved since then.
“The Department of Homeland Security must extend TPS for all Somalis who currently have that status, and should also redesignate TPS to allow others to apply,” says ILCM Executive Director John Keller. “Previous DHS decisions ended TPS for about 300,000 people from countries including El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, and Sudan. People with TPS have lived here for decades, working, contributing to their communities, and raising families. Ending TPS means separating mothers and fathers from 273,000 U.S.-born children. Congress must act to create a path to permanent legal residence for all people with TPS.”
“The current political and humanitarian conditions in Somalis qualify for TPS to be reinstated in Somalia”, says Council on American Islamic Relations-Minnesota Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “Minnesota is home to the largest Somali American community and home to TPS holders. Today, these families and their communities are urging for Congress to pass legislation that provides permanent status for these hardworking families.”