Trump Administration Adds Sixth Country to Deportation List: Ends TPS for Nepal

For Immediate Release

April 26, 2018

Contact: info@undocublack.org, 443-300-6516

Washington, DC - In an unpopular decision, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielson announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Nepal today.  The law is clear, it requires DHS to extend TPS if the home country has not recovered from the initial disaster prompting the designation, Nepal has not. Nepal is the sixth country to have their TPS or DED status terminated by the Trump Administration, joining Sudan, Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Liberia. The decisions for Honduras, Somalia and Yemen are fast approaching.

According to various studies including those by the 2015 earthquake in Nepal destroyed  over 750,000 homes, 900 health care facilities and 7,000 classrooms.  A short 3 years later, the country still suffers from lack of  infrastructural and basic needs including accessible food and water. The 9000 Nepalis covered by TPS presently build and assist their home country while strengthening the U.S.

“Nepal TPS extension should have been a fairly easy one to make, the need is clear.It is dumbfounding how this Administration does not care to hide their bias and their fundamental problem of racism.  Yet again, Secretary Nielson has made a decision to end protection for a vulnerable country based on feelings of entitlement instead of facts. It is unoriginal and follows the pattern of her two predecessors in just this short 15 catastrophic months since the Trump Administration took power:  Acting Secretary Elaine Duke and Secretary Kelly. If ever we beckon to the need for the other branch of government to rise up, Congress, it is now. The list of instances of disregard for human rights and dignity just keeps getting longer and longer.”

- Patrice Lawrence, National Policy & Advocacy Director, UndocuBlack Network

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Where is the spine of our leaders?: The decision to end #TrumpShutdown without a bipartisan deal leaves the American public, Immigrants, parents and their children wondering.

For Immediate Release

January 22, 2018

Contact: info@undocublack.org, 443-300-6516

Washington, DC - The Senate has just voted to reopen the government without any consequential or long-term bipartisan agreement on the nation’s pressing issues: Disaster relief for U.S. states including Puerto Rico, budget caps and the DREAM Act. Dubbed the #TrumpShutdown, the federal government was closed for a little over two and a half days beginning Friday, January 19th because the leaders on both sides were unwilling to come to agreement on the nation’s spending bill and its amendments. The motion in the Senate today was the same as what was agreed to in the House prior to the shutdown, except it comes with a loose commitment to revisit immigration talks ahead of the next funding vote on February 8, 2018.  

“It seems as if Donald Trump is not the only one who does not understand the art of a deal; in reopening the government, Democrats have displayed the same. It is dangerous for Democrats to cave while Mitch McConnell still refers to undocumented immigrants with derogatory slurs spewing lies, misrepresenting the wishes of the American public. The reality is that over 75% of Americans demand a DREAM Act and are desperate for a permanent solution for immigrant youth and their families.

Patrice Lawrence, Policy Director, UndocuBlack Network - We imagine that in the coming weeks, Congress should brace for the outrage of immigration and children’s advocates, undocumented immigrants including DACA recipients, TPS and DED  holders, their families, friends and our allies who are steadfast in their commitment to the most vulnerable.  Congress has one more chance to make this right, and that is before the end of the next C.R. on Thursday, February 8th.  Best believe, we will be present and vigilant. 

Jonathan Jayes-Green, co-founder and Director, UndocuBlack Network - “This is a disgraceful day for our country. The Democratic Party and its leaders sent a message today, and it was loud and clear: they allegedly care about the immigrant community but are willing to put our fates in the hands of those who have been unwilling to protect us. Every deportation from here on out, every immigrant detention, every person losing their DACA and TPS status lies partly in the hands of Democratic leadership, not just Trump. We will never forget this day.”

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Trump’s incompetence puts the country and immigrants at further risk #TrumpShutdown

For Immediate Release
January 19, 2018
Contact: info@undocublack.org, 443-300-6516

Washington, DC - Tonight, Republicans made history as the first political party to lead the country to shut down while in control of both chambers of Congress and the White House.The partial shutdown will mean that the federal government will not be funded until Congress can come to a resolution on a variety of issues including CHIP, Disaster Relief and the DREAM Act.

“The basic function of Congress is to legislate on behalf of all their constituents, not based on their personal, misguided, racist views or those of their misaligned President.  We now have a shutdown, how long it lasts is up to Republicans.  It is important to note that during this time, ICE is still open, so the immigrant youth remain at risk for detention and deportation - this is urgent.  Donald Trump does not want a deal on immigration despite him being the engineer of our current crisis - he killed DACA." - Patrice Lawrence, National Policy & Advocacy Director, UndocuBlack Network

“This Trump shutdown is another example of the colossal failure that Republican leadership is for this country. Their inability to keep the government funded and follow the lead of the American public in passing a clean Dream Act is disgraceful.”- Jonathan Jayes-Green, Co-Founder and Director, UndocuBlack Network

“I want to give a message to all undocumented people, especially undocumented youth and TPS holders: The Trump shut down solidifies just how they see people; they are not seeing people for their humanity, they are seeing people as pawns, for their contributions, for their assigned worth. We need to look at this for what it is. We need to keep up the pressure. But remember your worth is not in the value you provide to someone, it is not based on what you can contribute. You may feel compelled to want to prove your worthiness and deservingness. You are deserving and inherently worthy.” - Gabrielle Jackson, Mental Wellness Coordinator, UndocuBlack Network

Republicans and Democrats support the DREAM Act along with over 75% of the American public. We hope the members of Congress push through this chaos and bring to a vote a deal that is conscionable and honest,  quickly.  This means that family-based immigration system and diversity visas must be preserved.  This means that Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure must be protected during these discussions.  Do the right thing.

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UndocuBlack Network opposes Trump's Family Ban; It has everything to do with white supremacist agenda and nothing to do DACA

Washington, DC -   As support for the DREAM Act increases, Trump held a meeting with bipartisan legislators today where he reiterated the ‘family ban’ along with a list of poison  pills as part of a “DACA deal”.  The UndocuBlack Network reaffirms its opposition to this latest call for the end of the Diversity Visa program, a part of the family ban.

“The family ban is any and all attacks on the family-based visa immigration system and the diversity of this country as provided by the  Diversity Visa program.  

 What does the family ban have to do with DACA?  Absolutely nothing.  What does it have to do with a racist, xenophobic presidency and advancing a white supremacist agenda? Absolutely everything.  

We stand with and for the DREAM Act and support its passage for immigrant youth in all of our communities.   What we do not stand for is any compromises to our immigration system especially the Diversity Visa program which ensures that individuals from low admission countries in other visa categories, have an equitable opportunity to migrate freely.

We are adamantly against ending the Diversity Visa program and family-based visa immigration system.  Any friend of immigrants must be too.”

Patrice Lawrence, Policy and Advocacy Director, UndocuBlack Network

The Trump Administration adds 200,000 Salvadorans to their deportation list

For Immediate Release
January 8, 2018
Contact: info@undocublack.org

Washington, DC - In a continuation of the repulsive Trump Administration agenda to evict immigrants,  Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador has been terminated as of this morning by the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristjen Nielson.

“This was Nielson’s first test of humanity for TPS holders and she has disgracefully failed. There are over 200,000 Salvadorans with TPS and ending their legal protection is cruel and inhumane.  The 18 month extension is no solace as asking these individuals to stop their lives, that of their children and family is preposterous. All roads now lead to a legislative solution immediately.” - Patrice Lawrence, National Policy and Advocacy Director, UndocuBlack Network.

The UndocuBlack Network understands that the administrative arm of government is blind to facts.  Salvadorans live and work across the country with heavy populations in Texas, Florida, California, Maryland and Nevada.  There are currently two bills in the House and one in the Senate with the purpose of a permanent solution for the over 320,000 individuals with Temporary Protected Status in the U.S.

The clock is ticking.

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Congress, attach the DREAM Act to the spending bills and it will pass before the holidays. “My mom shouldn’t have to worry over the upcoming holidays”

December 21, 2017

For Immediate Release

Contact: Info@undocublack.org

Washington, DC - Congress has two days left and no more to pass the DREAM Act before the end of the year and we are counting on them to do so.  It is the responsibility of the government to listen to the people and we have spoken, loudly.  The message is crystal clear, DREAM Act now for the holidays.  

“The DREAM Act must be passed before congress goes home in two days.  We’ve heard enough speeches, the time to act is now.” Jonathan Jayes-Green, co-founder of UndocuBlack Network continued, “Congress has had 17 years to debate this bill.  Time has run out.”

“This is life or death for us. I can’t plan for my future without knowing where I stand. I need to know that in the new year I can help support my family. My mom shouldn’t have to worry over the upcoming holidays.” Ronnie James, DACA Recipient, NYC Co-lead in UndocuBlack Network.

The DREAM Act is a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-cultural issue, and yes, a Black issue.  We don’t have time to play politics knowing 12,000 individuals have lost their status already. Two days Congress, you’ve got two days.

Black and AAPI Immigrant Advocates Lead Day of Action on Capitol Hill to Demand Action on TPS and DREAM

For Immediate Release: December 5, 2017

Contact: Kelsea Wilkerson, kelsea@megaphonestrategies.com, 972-951-6694

Miguel Ayala, miguel@megaphonestrategies.com, 202-279-0647

***Media interested in interviews + coverage should contact Kelsea Wilkerson at Kelsea@megaphonestrategies.com.***

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Close to 150 immigrants and advocates from Black and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities came together to in Washington, D.C. for a day of action on immigration. Together, the two groups, often unheard in the debate about immigration policy, will join forces to call for a clean DREAM Act and a permanent solution for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders.

You can find a link to the FB live here.

Led by UndocuBlack and the AAPI Immigrant Rights Organizing Table, the day featured a press conference with Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA).

Central demands include:

• NO change must be made to TPS and no more terminations until a legislative solution is achieved.

• The best permanent solutions that TPS holders support are ones that provide full permanent protection for all countries.  It is important that this includes Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Nicaragua and Haiti who all had terminations in 2017.

• A clean DREAM Act focused on creating pathways to citizenship, not expanded enforcement.

Jonathan Jayes-Green, Co-Creator and National Coordinator for the UndocuBlack Network added, “Black and AAPI Immigrant are joining hands on this historic day of action to reject the lie that our people are disposable and that we are each other’s enemies. We are centering and uplifting our own voices, hold elected officials accountable and demand a clean Dream Act and a permanent solution for TPS holders together. The time is now and congress needs to act on both before the end of the year.“

Holden Pierre, a 24 year-old Haitian TPS holder who spoke at the press conference, commented,”I love Haiti, but I have not lived there since I was 7. I’ve built a life, graduated from college and started my career. I worry most about my younger siblings and what will happen to them, what will happen to our if my mom and I are forced to go back to Haiti. I’m standing up for them, and thousands of others asking Congress to step in and find a permanent solution for our family.”

“Having TPS has changed my life. It has allowed me to be able to work, and having the ability to work means that I have the ability to go to school.  TPS allows me to continue my education and my work in a Biology lab where I am currently working on my own research project,” said Lys Isma, Haitian National, TPS Recipient, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Florida International University (FIU), Miami, Florida.  

 “DACA changed my life. It allowed me to go to and finish school, get a good job and support my family.  A clean DREAM Act must pass before Christmas,” said Jung Woo Kim speaking on behalf of the Korean Resource Center and the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC). “We, young immigrant Americans, are an important part of the future of this nation. What kind of government would throw away its young people?”

Anthony Ng with Asian Americans Advancing Justice said, “Each day Congress doesn't take action, more undocumented youth become more vulnerable to deportation while loosing their ability to provide for them selves and their family. Inaction from Congress on this issue is unacceptable. Congress must pass a clean Dream Act by the end of the year.

“As an undocumented immigrant, womxn of color, and a Dreamer, I can attest to the fact that this bill will determine the future of 11 million human lives. This bill is not just a policy. This bill is not an amnesty. This bill is about true American value, American history, humanity, and justice,” said Angie Kim, who participated in the press conference on behalf of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum. “Without a clean DREAM Act, nearly 800,000 young lives will be at risk of deportation and inhumanely be forced to walk away from the only home, the only life they know. In effect, it will also jeopardize the lives of 11 million undocumented families. No human being is illegal and every human being deserves a chance to pursuit happiness and foster a better future for their children. Without a clean Dream Act, My life will be in a limbo and I will be separated from my family.”

"As Nepalis, as Asian Americans and as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, we have come to DC to unite forces with our comrades from the African immigrant community to demand a permanent solution to TPS now., “” explained Maya Gurung, a TPS recipient with Adhikaar.   “There are over 430,000 people who have TPS and the Trump administration is cancelling TPS programs, throwing our lives into turmoil.  We demand passage of the American Promise Act in the House and the SECURE Act in the Senate for TPS recipients. We need a permanent solution for our communities and a Clean DREAM Act for our fellow Dreamers."
 

Immediately following, the groups delivered a CREDO petition with 400,000 signatures in support of DREAMers and TPS holders to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY), Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-WI), Senator Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY), and Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) Capitol Hill offices.

While the groups are joining a larger effort to pass the DREAM Act, they also lifted up the fight for a permanent solution to TPS as decisions for four countries loom in 2018. Incoming Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Neilson has not expressed support for continuing the program.

Trump’s decision to end TPS will impact 420,000 immigrants from over 10 countries, the majority of which have populations that are majority black including Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, Somalia, Yemen, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua. Ending DACA will impact 800,000 youth and young adults across the U.S.

The day of action will occur during a full week of advocacy with thousands of undocumented young people, TPS holders, advocates and supporters. On Wednesday, the two groups will join the broader immigration coalition protest on Capitol Hill.

***Media interested in interviews + coverage should contact Kelsea Wilkerson at Kelsea@megaphonestrategies.com.***

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UndocuBlack Network Rejects DHS decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians; warns officials to quit playing politics with people's lives

For Immediate Release
November 20, 2017
Contact: info@undocublack.org

Washington, DC - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status  for the over 50,000 Haitians currently with this legal protection.  

The Department of Homeland Security is operating in exact opposition to reports on the current country conditions for Haiti, all indicating that these nationals need this protection. The facts speak for themselves. The country is still reeling from natural disasters as recent as Hurricanes Irma and Maria this summer, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and the earthquake in 2010 leaving over 300,000 without proper shelter.  Cholera is still rampant and there is a new outbreak of diphtheria on the island which has sickened over 800,000. Maintaining the humanitarian status is an issue of public health and basic human decency.

“I am disappointed but I am not surprised.  You cannot surprised when a system not designed for you fails you. I live in America, I live as a Black female undocumented immigrant. Those are just many ways I was not designed to succeed. But I’m just going to have to succeed in spite of all of those factors.” Lys Isma, TPS holder, student at Florida International University, member of UndocuBlack Network.

Haitians like Lys  and her family work, study and live in the United States.  They have built homes, engaged with their communities as health care providers, construction, hospitality workers and range from the youth to the elderly.  It is important that all allies raise TPS as an issue under threat as time is already running out for Sudanese and Nicaraguan nationals, who will see an end to their protections in 2018 and 2019.  We anticipate the next decision in January for over 200,000 nationals with TPS from El Salvador and we cannot allow more individuals to be stripped of legal status.

There are several bills that provide a permanent solution for TPS holders across this country including the Secure Act by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) . The Secure Act is the product of a large effort of several unions: IUPAT, UNITE HERE, UFCW, BAC,  IWC and several organizations including CARECEN - LA and UndocuBlack Network , to draft the bill. Last week, Senators Van Hollen and Cardin, stood along with MomsRising, SEIU, Herd on the Hill, Mormon Women for Ethical Governance, UndocuBlack, CASA, and Allies to announce the introduction of the bill that would provide a residency status for all current TPS holders.

The DREAM Act as it is carefully crafted, would also allow thousands of immigrant youth failed by TPS to work and thrive fully. It is up to congress to do their jobs and act now before the end of the year.

A word to elected representatives and other officials - quit playing politics with the lives of people.