Thirty-three senators are asking the Biden administration to extend work permits and deportation relief to eligible immigrants from four Central American countries living in the U.S., citing “ongoing” humanitarian needs and the impact of climate change.
In a letter sent Monday to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Democrat lawmakers appealed for temporary protected status’ renewal for people from El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and the inclusion of Guatemala to the program popularly known as TPS, which shields beneficiaries from deportation and allows them to work legally in the country.
The senators said they were concerned with the “urgent” crisis Central America is facing, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, back-to-back hurricanes and tropical storms and a severe drought that has worsened food insecurity in the region.
AC