DHS EXTENDS TPS TO AFGHAN AND UKRAINIAN NATIONALS IN THE U.S.

Sacramento, CA (March 8, 2022) – The California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation

(CRLAF) was gratified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the country of Afghanistan today, citing the armed conflict there. This announcement comes less than two weeks after DHS extended the same protection to nationals of Ukraine.

“We are in the midst of a terrifying situation for all Ukrainians, wherever they currently reside,” noted Amagda Pérez, Esq., CRLAF’s Executive Director. “Temporary Protected Status, and with it the opportunity to legally remain in the United States, and gain employment authorization to support themselves and their families brings much-needed stability and peace of mind.”

Yet while CRLAF applauds this recognition of the dangerous, unstable, and inhumane conditions in Ukraine and Afghanistan, the new TPS designation highlights the need to allow those fleeing the crisis to find safety here—and not just protect those who were already here. We strongly urge DHS to continue to adapt our current humanitarian programs, such as TPS, to include those who arrive after March 1, 2022 (for Ukrainians) and March 15, 2022 (for Afghans).

CRLAF stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and with the people of Ukraine, and has a long history of assisting the Sacramento region’s many immigrants from these areas of the world. We are equally committed to uplifting those who come or remain here because of similar situations and comparable conditions in other parts of the world, yet are not afforded the same protections.

The recent TPS designation for both Afghanistan and Ukraine is a strong step in the right direction—and we hope to see this Administration continue to offer protection to these vulnerable communities.