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HF Statement on Trump Administration's Decision to End TPS for Salvadorans

January 8, 2017 (New York, NY) - Hispanic Federation's President José Calderón issued the following statement regarding President Trump's decision today to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadorans living in the United States:

"By terminating the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program to Salvadorans, the Trump administration has turned its back on America's promise to be a haven for those unable to safely return to their home country. Instead of doing what's humane and economically smart, this administration has yet again decided to expel people who have been working hard, paying taxes and contributing in countless ways to the betterment of our communities and nation.

"The TPS program is one of our country's most economically successful immigration policies. Its recipients are thoroughly vetted, gainfully employed taxpayers who are not eligible for federal public assistance. If Congress does not act quickly to protect the more than 250,000 Salvadoran immigrants affected by this cruel decision, we could witness one of the largest mass deportations in our country's history, harming our economy and further damaging our reputation around the world. This administration would also be responsible for continuing to heartlessly break up families, since at least 193,000 U.S.-born citizens have at least one Salvadoran parent who currently has TPS.

"It requires an almost unfathomable level of cynicism to argue, as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen did in making the announcement today, that El Salvador is no longer in crisis and Salvadorans with TPS no longer are worthy of refuge in our country. Regrettably since 1990, El Salvador has become the country with the highest homicide rate in the world. El Salvador is also facing chronic unemployment and underemployment, dynamics that would undoubtedly be exacerbated by the sudden insertion of tens of thousands of residents who have lived abroad for many years and the significant loss of remittances sent by Salvadorans in the United States.

"Ending TPS will not make us richer or safer. Instead it will damage our economy irreparably, heartlessly break up families, and destabilize established communities (nearly one-third of TPS holders own homes in their communities). We call on Congress to rectify this grave injustice immediately by passing legislation that would provide permanent residency for long-time TPS holders."

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About Hispanic Federation
The mission of the Hispanic Federation is to empower and advance the Hispanic community. The Hispanic Federation provides grants and services to a broad network of Latino non-profit agencies serving the most vulnerable members of the Hispanic community and advocates nationally with respect to the vital issues of education, health, immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement and the environment. For more information, please visit www.hispanicfederation.org.