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TIME FOR ACTION
SFRC Chairman Menendez Leads Senate Dems in Calling for TPS Designations for Latin America Countries
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ashington, DC: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (DN.J.) on January 10 was joined by 32 of his Senate Democratic colleagues in formally requesting that the Biden administration grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) re-designations for El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, in addition to a new TPS designation for Guatemala. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators expressed their grave concern with the worsening humanitarian conditions across Central America being compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple devastating natural disasters, all of which have contributed to an uptick in outmigration from the region. “The crisis in Central America is urgent. ... TPS designations and redesignations would provide critical protections for eli-
gible beneficiaries and enable them to support basic needs of loved ones back home and invest in safer alternatives to irregular migration,” the senators wrote. “It is our assessment that the severe damage caused by back-to-back hurricanes just over one year ago, combined with extreme drought conditions, and the social and economic crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, warrant such an action by the Administration.” Established by the U.S. Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS is a temporary, renewable program that provides relief from deportation and access to a work permit for foreign nationals from certain countries who are unable to return safely to their home country due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions. “Over one million Central Americans have been displaced by violence and
insecurity. Gender-based violence continues to be a major driver of displacement, with rates increasing dramatically throughout 2020. … Additionally, countries in the region have suffered severe democratic backsliding and political persecution is on the rise, including through the consolidation of a dictatorship in Nicaragua, the dismantling of independent judiciaries, and efforts to intimidate and silence civil society and independent media,” the senators added. “The Biden administration must act and provide certainty for eligible individuals from Central America during this challenging moment. These temporary designations would give the U.S. government more time to partner with governments and civil society in the region to ensure that the return of a large number of individuals to Central America does not create further instability and volatility.” l
Harry Reid: Champion for the Latinx Community, Remembered
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ASHINGTON: Ahead of Sen. Harry Reid’s funeral services Saturday, January 8, Poder Latinx honors the legendary senator’s memory and vows to follow in his footsteps fighting for the needs of the Latinx and all marginalized communities. Sen. Reid spent his career advocating for his home state of Nevada and Americans across the country and was a tireless champion of the Latinx community there, advocating for policies like the DREAM Act and expanding guest worker opportunities. Poder Latinx released the following statement on the eve of Sen. Reid’s funeral services: “As we remember Sen. Reid’s work, we must resume the fight for the policies our community needs to continue building
Editorial credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com
political power. We saw his political positions transform during Nevada’s political transition. He realized the importance of outreach to the Latinx community, which was a fairly unen-
gaged voting bloc at the time, and urged other politicians to do the same. He secured wins through his allyship, hiring staff from diverse communities who have become leaders in the movement, and sponsoring bills such as the DREAM Act and other immigration reform. Sen. Reid was not born into the Latinx community, but he did his part to contribute as much as possible and develop strong roots in our community. It is disheartening that we have lost an ally in La Lucha. Still, his legacy will carry on in the daily work of community organizations that mobilize the Latinx voting bloc. We extend our condolences to his family, and we will continue moving forward in the spirit of Sen. Reid’s tireless efforts on immigration reform and securing wins for working families,” said Yadira Sanchez, co-executive director of Poder Latinx.l
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