TPS in Jeopardy: Negotiations fail and risk of deportation

More than 260,000 immigrants could be deported due to turbulent negotiations that put TPS in jeopardy.

Temporary Protected Status has been the subject of much controversy over the years. In fact, for almost a year and a half, a fight has been raging between beneficiaries of the TPS program and Joe Biden’s administration. Now, any kind of agreement has fallen into a heated debate, putting TPS in jeopardy, and with it, more than 260,000 immigrants who receive benefits under the program.

This means that the humanitarian reasons that made them eligible for this benefit are no longer sufficient, and they may lose the right to reside and work legally in the United States. The elimination of TPS was unfairly carried out during the Trump Era, and now the Biden administration is required not to let it end altogether. This program prevents thousands of people from being removed and sent back to their countries, away from their family and friends, and back to a country where they may be in danger.

At Jaskot Law‘s firm, we bring you all the details of the negotiation and what is known about the future of TPS.

Miles de beneficiarios del Temporary Protected Status en riesgo de deportación
Thousands of protests were carried out to protect the TPS in jeopardy.

What happens between plaintiffs and defendants?

The case was called “Ramos VS. Mayorkas,” and has led to what is now a major lawsuit between the Biden administration and TPS beneficiaries. Both parties are seeking to settle the matter, and requested a joint motion to enter the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Mediation Program. The idea is to settle the lawsuit that was initiated after the elimination of TPS by former President Donald Trump.

In a context of global, economic, political, and social crisis, Temporary Protected Status is a fundamental resource for the thousands of people who must flee their home countries in search of a better life. Such is the case of Ukraine or Venezuela, for whom TPS has been put into effect.

It is imperative for the petitioners that the government continue to issue TPS, adding other countries such as Honduras to the list. There are many countries in Central America that are in a delicate moment since weather conditions keep fluctuating (hurricanes, floods, etc.), and granting temporary protection to people who want to leave would be a continuation of the pro-immigration campaign that President Joe Biden promised before taking office.

What will happen now? Will TPS end in deportation?

Attempts to negotiate the future of TPS have apparently failed. On Wednesday, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) announced to the press that all talks and mediations had come to an end, resulting in the deportation of 260,000 people currently using the program.

When in 2018 Trump eliminated TPS, he did so for citizens of El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Nepal, and Honduras. Then, when Joe Biden took office, only Haiti and Sudan were reinstated. Not only was the lawsuit initiated with the objective of restoring the rest of the countries as beneficiaries, but also for other countries to be added.

Unfortunately, and despite the efforts of the activists, this did not happen. Since 2018, immigrants with TPS have had temporary relief that has saved them from deportation, but it is coming to an end. Once this happens, the 260,000 beneficiaries will be removed from the United States and left to fend for themselves in their respective countries of origin.

It is not yet decisive, and the plaintiffs along with immigrant rights activists and lawyers are putting all their efforts into the matter. At Jaskot Law, we will bring you all the changes and updates on the case of TPS in jeopardy.

Theodora Carbel
Senior Content Writer at Jaskot | [email protected] | + posts

Theodora Carbel stands out as a content creator specializing in the Latino market, taking advantage of her deep knowledge in the field. Her academic background in Sociocultural Anthropology, and her extensive experience in Copywriting focused on U.S. immigration law, have been the foundations to her professional development.