HIAS Statement on Designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. The protections will apply to approximately 75,000 Afghans residing in the U.S. who entered on humanitarian parole or student, tourist, or employment visas.

“HIAS welcomes DHS’ decision to grant TPS to Afghans in the U.S. who cannot return home,” said Naomi Steinberg, HIAS’ vice president for U.S. policy and advocacy. “However, as its name indicates, TPS does not offer a permanent fix for Afghans in the United States. It is a temporary fix for a challenge in need of a long-term solution.”

Steinberg continued: “The TPS designation is important, but it does not negate the need for the prompt passage of an Afghan Adjustment Act, legislation that would allow Afghan humanitarian parolees to get on a pathway to getting their green cards and eventual U.S. citizenship. In addition, today’s announcement serves as a reminder that the administration has not yet done the same for other groups, including Cameroonians, Mauritanians, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Guatemalans, and Salvadorans. We believe it is time for the administration to grant these communities TPS as well.”

A country may be designated for TPS when the conditions in their home country make it impossible for them to be able to safely return. These conditions can include natural disaster, ongoing armed conflict, or other extraordinary conditions that prevent safe return.

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