Demanding protection from deportation
Thousands of New Jersey immigrants who have for years lived and worked legally in the U.S. with work permits issued under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program face the loss of their legal status and potential deportation when their permits expire early in 2021.
For nearly two decades, these immigrants have built their lives here, many with U.S. born children. The Trump administration canceled the program in 2018. Now those families could be ripped apart if nothing is done to help them.
CEUS and other immigrant advocates, among them the National TPS Alliance are demanding U.S. Congress pass legislation, such as HR6, that would protect TPS holders from deportation, and give them a path to residency.
News Update: US extends TPS permits by nine months: what it means for TPS holders
Lives uprooted, families separated
CEUS has about 200 clients in the TPS program, many of whom have lived in the United States for nearly two decades, building their lives here, raising children and integrating into their communities. Now TPS holders face the threat of being forced back to countries they left long ago, most of which are struggling economically and are in no condition to handle an influx of returnees.
See the TPS holders talk about their plight in this video:
TPS holders taking to the streets
Centro Comunitario CEUS has fought alongside TPS holders to secure their legal status for three years, highlighting their plight through marches, community meetings and lobbying trips to Washington DC.
In June, CEUS took half a dozen cars to a socially distanced vehicle rally past the US Congress that attracted hundreds of vehicles carrying TPS recipients and activists from immigrant organizations from across the US. 
CEUS members and TPS clients in the Fall joined actions in New York and New Jersey demanding Congress act to protect TPS holders.
In our most prominent action this year, CEUS hosted the arrival in Hudson County of a bus full of TPS holders driving from California to Washington D.C., with stops along the way, to spotlight their tenuous legal status. CEUS and the National TPS Alliance organized a solidarity walk down Bergenline Avenue with the bus. Media coverage included stories by: Univision; NorthJersey.com; Reporte Hispano; Hudson Reporter; Jersey Journal and Poder Latino.
See the video of the event, and a related press conference in Newark, here:
Seeking action from the new President and Congress
Time is running out for TPS holders, many of whom will see their work permits – and legal status – expire between January and March in 2021. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged support for TPS holders. But a permanent solution would likely need legislation from Congress.
Please support the campaign to help TPS holders. Learn more about the campaign at the National TPS Alliance page. Contact your legislator and ask them to take action to help TPS immigrants.
Take Action
Please also consider making a donation to the CEUS TPS campaign. Make your donation with this button: