Cities for Action Leaders Call to Protect Immigrants Using Temporary Protected Status

Cities for Action Leaders Call on Biden Administration to Protect Immigrants from 15 Countries Using Temporary Protected Status

Thirty mayors from across the country sent a letter to the Biden Administration today requesting that they designate or redesignate 15 countries for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The countries include: Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Sudan. The letter explains how designation and redesignation of TPS for these countries could offer protection from deportation as well as employment authorization for approximately 2 million immigrants currently residing in the U.S. The letter emphasizes how TPS is a valuable tool that would protect many long-standing community members from being returned to dangerous country conditions and offer them critical employment authorization in the U.S., while also working towards advancing racial justice in local communities and facilitating COVID-19 recovery efforts. As the Biden administration considers designations and redesignations for various countries (including those whose TPS designation was terminated by the Trump administration), local government leaders urge the administration to act rapidly in providing critical protections to the millions of immigrants residing in their communities. The letter emphasizes how such protections would align with the administration’s vision of a fair, functional, and humane immigration system.

New York, NY Mayor Bill de Blasio:

“As we look to build a just recovery for our City, we must remember that many of our immigrant neighbors do not have stable immigration status. TPS designations for an additional 15 countries would provide peace of mind to these New Yorkers and their families. We urge President Biden to deliver this measure of stability for those who have sought out NYC and other cities across the nation for refuge.”

Boston, MA Mayor Kim Janey: "TPS provides vital humanitarian relief, most recently needed for the situations in Afghanistan and Haiti, and Boston is proud to lead this effort with Cities for Action and mayors from around the country. New TPS designations and redesignations will keep families together and authorize work opportunities, which means increased economic stability and contributions to all cities. This is crucial to Boston’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, and I urge the Biden administration to take swift action on TPS now."

Framingham, MA Mayor Dr. Yvonne

M. Spicer: “The City of Framingham, MA and our municipal colleagues across the country work every day to protect those most vulnerable. Our federal policies should seek to do the same and support those efforts through its TPS designations. In a time when the world is more interconnected than ever, as we have experienced with the impact of COVID19 and climate change, it is not only the smart, but the moral thing to do.”

College Park, MD Mayor Patrick L.

Wojahn: “The City of College Park has a long history of welcoming immigrants, including TPS holders, and building an inclusive community that celebrates its diversity. Our city’s TPS residents include families from various countries, representing many cultural traditions, religions, and languages. College Park has benefitted from the significant contributions of its TPS residents, who have gone on to become business owners, homeowners, and long-standing members of our community. I am proud to join Cities for Action and mayors from around the country in calling on the Biden administration to strengthen and expand TPS protections that will keep families together and boost pandemic recovery efforts.”

Mount Rainier, MD Mayor Celina R.

Benitez: “As the first Salvadoran and Latina Mayor of Mount Rainier, I am proud to serve our diverse and enriched community, which includes many TPS holders. Our TPS holders are homeowners, business owners, parents and volunteers contributing to the vitality of our economy, but more importantly, they are our friends and neighbors who make our community stronger. Mount Rainier enthusiastically and proudly supports additional TPS designations and redesignations that will keep families together, provide critical protections to vulnerable populations, and boost pandemic recovery efforts across the country.”

Somerset, MD Mayor Jeffrey Slavin:

“TPS holders in Somerset are longstanding community members who make our town stronger and more vibrant. I am proud to join Cities for Action and mayors from around the country in calling on the Biden administration to strengthen and expand TPS protections. Protecting current TPS holders and designating new countries for TPS will help keep families together, fortify the workforce, and advance a fair and humane immigration system.”

Minneapolis, MN Mayor Jacob Frey:

“Minneapolis has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants and refugees, whose rich cultural traditions contribute to the greater vibrancy of our city. As a country, we need to do everything within our power to ensure that as we continue welcoming refugees, they are provided the dignity, legal protections, and support all residents should expect. TPS designation and re-designation play a key part in achieving those goals.”

Philadelphia, PA Mayor Jim Kenney:

“Philadelphia is home to many long-time residents that come from these 15 countries that have been impacted by war, trauma, civil unrest and climate catastrophes. Our country is more successful when we can provide protection from deportation and employment authorization to our residents so we can keep families together and they can provide for themselves and their families. These TPS designations will also advance racial justice within our immigration system as many of these countries have been left out by the prior administration’s xenophobic and racist policies. This is about course-correcting. Again, as local leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that all our residents feel safe and supported in our cities.”l

Editorial credit: a katz / Shutterstock.com

Special Immigrant Juvenile

from page 1 refrains from providing them with adequate food, shelter, education or emotional support, and other issues that can be brought to a Court to prove abandonment—including the death of a parent. Once it is established that a child has been abandoned or neglected, the Court will order a guardianship or a related custody order so that their needs can be met. The guardian or custodian does not need to be a citizen of the United States; however, they must not have any criminal records neither should other members of their household. An Order from the Juvenile Courts will be used to petition USCIS for the child to be granted a Green Card. In 2017, Eber, from Guatemala, was granted SIJ relief and obtained his Green Card after his older brother was appointed to be his guardian. He left his home because he was physically abused by his father and both parents abandoned him. He faced deportation when he came to the United States illegally. His application for guardianship, with the Court finding that his parents abandoned him, enabled him to receive Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and thus he was able to obtain his Green Card. Not all cases are as extreme. Sometimes a Court will find neglect if a parent passed away and there is no one else to care for the child in the home country. Other times, the Court will determine that an abusive parent is neglectful and will place the child with an appropriate guardian. Brian Figeroux, Esq., the attorney who advocated for Eber’s SIJ petition, said, “too many children who are abandoned in the United States, don’t get proper advice either because the people they live with do not care, or they don’t get multiple consultations from seasoned AILA lawyers.” He also pointed out that social workers who work with immigrant children need to understand that SIJ proceedings are the solution to many of these children’s problems. He further said, “my concern is that those children are missing out on many opportunities to get a proper education and jobs, which can lead them to be frustrated, depressed and suicidal.” Mr. Figeroux extends a free consultation to anyone who needs advice on this matter.

Here are some FAQs about SIJS:

How does marriage impact a Petition for SIJS?

If the child gets married before her/ her I-360 is approved, the I-360 must be denied. If she gets married after the I360 is approved but before the I-485 is granted, the I-360 will be revoked and thus the underlying basis for the I-485, the adjustment of status to legal permanent resident, will be lost.

What if the child turns 21 after the application for SIJS is filed?

Fortunately, an "age-out" provision (referred to as "transition protection") included in the 2008 TVPRA rectifies this issue. As of December 23, 2008 (date of TVPRA enactment), a child who is under 21 years old at the time of filing her SIJS petition (Form I-360) may not later be denied on the basis of age.

Is SIJS permanent immigration

relief? No. Obtaining SIJ status is not an end in itself. Rather, being classified as a "Special Immigrant Juvenile" enables a child to immediately apply to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States. In summariy, the process for gaining LPR status through SIJS entails several steps with both state law and immigration law components: 1. Obtain a SIJS predicate order in state juvenile court. 2. File a petition with USCIS for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. 3. Once SIJ status is granted, apply for legal permanent resident status.

Getting Help

Many children, who were brought to the United States by family members or came on their own, should know that there is a way to find relief and obtain permanent residency. The SIJ status is one way whereby they can remain with loving relatives or be appointed new guardians who would care for them in the United States. They can find assistance with an immigration attorney who also has experience with family law matters, specifically with the Special Immigrant Juvenile petition. A legal consult will open the door for a future without the fear of deportation. Call 855768-8845 for a free consult. l

Buying a Fixer-Upper

If you like HGTV, the idea of buying an old home and turning it into your dream home can seem fun, romantic and the perfect way to get what you’re looking for, maybe even breaking into the neighborhood or suburb you never thought you could afford. While it’s not a bad idea, you should go into such a venture with a clear idea of what a house needs, how much repairs will cost, whether you have the time, skills and tools needed to make those repairs and if this is the kind of investment you want to make. This Old House walked through things people should know.

Take a Hard Look at the Numbers

Assess what needs to be done, then add up the costs to renovate the property, including the costs of materials and labor. Subtract the costs of renovation from the home’s likely value when you’re done, then take off another 10 percent or so to cover unexpected expenses. That number you’re left with is what you should be willing to pay.

Avoid Significant Structural Improvements

Major repairs like plumbing and electrical system overhauls, fixing the foundation or extensive roof or wall work are expensive yet rarely raise the value of the house enough to offset renovation costs because they’re invisible repairs. Look for houses in need of aesthetic improvements — a paint job, new flooring, yardwork, windows, new countertops and so on. These are easier to do, they’re less expensive, and they’re noticeable.

Be Prepared to Get Dirty This doesn’t include plumbing, wiring or work that requires expertise if you don’t have it, but for most people, a fixer-upper is only a good deal if they do much of their own labor. Be realistic about how much time you can devote to home improvement and what you’re able to do. If you’re prepared to slowly renovate over several years, that may be a better investment than a house that needs immediate improvement to even be livable.

Know Where Your Money is Coming From

You may be eligible for a renovation loan tied to your mortgage. These loans borrow against the house’s value after the work is completed, and interest is taxdeductible. The FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offer renovation loans as well. Another option for DIYers is a home equity line of credit. If you're currently embarking on buying a fixer-upper, you may want to contact one of our real estate professionals for more information.Schedule an appointment today by calling 888-6706791.l

Call Equity Smart Realty at 888-670-6791 for a FREE consultation.