TPS for Nicaraguans
Hundreds of Faith, Service, and Immigration Organizations Urge the Biden Administration to Redesignate Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua
MIAMI, FL- Today, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, along with American Friends Service Committee, released a letter signed by 270 other religious, service, and immigration organizations from across the United States urging the Biden administration to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua. This would shield over 35,000 Nicaraguans from deportations and give them an immigration status.
The last time TPS was designated to Nicaragua it was to mitigate the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Since 2018, Nicaragua has been reeling from the turmoil, violence, and chaos caused by the Ortega- Murillo regime, the devastation caused by the Indio Maíz fire that destroyed more than 5,000 hectares of forest belonging to indigenous people, and the damage caused by Hurricanes Eta and Iota.
There will be a community meeting for Nicaraguans interested in learning more about the efforts to redesignate TPS tomorrow at 3:00 PM at Jose Martí Park, 351 SW 4th Ave, Miami, FL 33130.
Community organizer with the American Friends Services Committee, Bertha Sanles, mentioned,
“It is inspiring to be able to help the Nicaraguan community in South Florida and to transmit the hope that we have for a redesignation of TPS. There is palpable hope in the air and we will work tirelessly to deliver justice to Nicaraguans who have been living, working, and raising families in Florida and all over this country with the integrity and honesty that are characteristic of our people.”
Yareliz Mendez-Zamora, Federal Campaign Lead for the Florida Immigrant Coalition stated,
“As a daughter of Nicaraguan parents, I am extremely proud of the lives they have built in this country and the opportunities they have afforded me. I have been given the chance to work for the community that is deep in my heart and for that I am thankful. This campaign has been led by many organizations and people who understand the need of the Nicaraguan people. The hope brewing is exciting and we will not rest until TPS for Nicaragua is redesignated.”
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The Florida Immigrant Coalition is a statewide alliance of over 53 member organizations, including farmworkers, students, service providers, grassroots organizations and legal advocates, who come together for the fair treatment of all people.
The American Friends Service Committee, AFSC, works for a just, peaceful, and sustainable world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. We join with people and partners worldwide to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
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