January 8, 2018
Today, the Trump administration’s announced it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for some 200,000 people who fled El Salvador decades ago. In response, Cynthia Buiza, Executive Director of the California Immigrant Policy Center, issued the following statement:
“Today’s cruel announcement is a vicious attack on our neighbors, our coworkers, and our loved ones. For twenty years, people who fled devastating conditions in El Salvador have grown deep roots in our communities. In California, the threat of deportation now hangs over 50,000 people with TPS who fled El Salvador. Furthermore, for 50,000 US citizen children now face the possible carving up of their families. For many, California is the only place they call home.
We stand in full solidarity with all who are hurt by today’s decision. We call upon all people of conscience in California and across the country to resist this administration’s hateful, xenophobic agenda, and we call upon our leaders from Congress on down to challenge these attacks that threaten the health and safety of our communities and our families.”
People hurt by today’s decision have until Sept. 19, 2019 to adjust their status. As the U.S. has never created a workable immigration process, many community members may not have any avenues to do so. However, CIPC encourages TPS holders in California to seek qualified legal advice from organizations supported by the state’s “One California” program. Meanwhile, CIPC is in support of efforts at the federal and state levels to protect all people hurt by recent Trump administration decisions.