Statement: Biden Administration Extends and Redesignates Somalia for Temporary Protected Status

July 19, 2021

Contact: Timothy Younger | tyoung@lirs.org | 443-257-6310

Washington D.C. – Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas introduced an 18-month extension and redesignation of Momentary Protected Standing (TPS) for Somalia. The choice is essential to supporting and defending the security of our Somali neighbors, permitting those that arrived in the US after 2012 to use for protected standing and work legally with out worry of deportation.

Mayorkas cited the continuing battle and a worsening humanitarian disaster in Somalia as the rationale for the choice, acknowledging a dramatic upsurge in violence, extreme drought, and flooding, which have contributed to worsening meals insecurity and inside displacement that forestall Somalis within the U.S. from returning to their dwelling nation safely.

Krish O’ Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, supplied the next assertion on the announcement:

“We commend Secretary Mayorkas’ determination to increase and re-designate Somalia for Momentary Protected Standing. Extending TPS for Somalia is a life-saving measure that can guarantee the security of Somali nationals dwelling within the U.S. Re-designating TPS may also afford this safety to some 100 extra newly arrived Somalis.

Present situations in Somalia make it unsafe and inhumane for the U.S. to drive our Somali neighbors to return to their dwelling nation, the place civilians are affected by the devastating results of escalating violence, meals insecurity, illness outbreaks, pure disasters, and mass inside displacement.

At the moment’s determination is a needed transfer towards defending our immigrant group, and we proceed to induce the Biden administration to supply TPS protections for others who can not return safely dwelling, together with nationals of Cameroon and Mauritania.”