Kamal Ghorui
A new bill promises Green Card for TPS holders in the US but the administration will never approve of this.
Representative Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick of Florida introduced a new bill, Respect for Essential Workers Act, which would give Green Card to those who have Temporary Protected Status in the US. This status is for the people of war-torn countries or countries hit by natural disasters who can’t stay in their country and can seek ‘temporary protection’ in the US. The Donald Trump administration has already revoked this status for the nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Yemen. The withdrawal of the TPS means nationals of these countries will now have to go back to their countries. The US Supreme Court on March 16 temporarily blocked the administration’s plans to proceed with the deportation of about 6,000 Syrians and 350,000 Haitians who had been granted TPS.TPS holders can not apply for Green Card directly and they have to qualify for a Green Card separately. For example, if they get married to a US citizen, if they get sponsored by an employer etc. Also it is easier for a TPS holder who entered the country following inspection to qualify for a Green Card than those who enter the US illegally. The proposed bill says there should be a set period after which TPS holders who can be classified as essential workers can apply for Green Card. “Over 403,000 TPS holders in Florida keep our communities running, working in health care, construction, food supply, and more. Protecting essential workers is the right thing to do for our communities, our economy, and our future,” the Dem leader said.
Is it possible?
Given the Donald Trump administration’s tough stand on immigration, both legal and illegal, it is highly impossible for the administration to grant any permanence to TPS holders. “TPS was designed to be temporary, and this administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent. We are prioritizing our national security interests and putting America first,” DHS said earlier explaining why the administration was withdrawing TPS status from several countries.
