A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives, led by Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), is calling for the redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaraguans. In a letter issued on October 11, 2023, the coalition urged President Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ur Jaddou to take immediate action due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Nicaragua.
The letter, co-signed by Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), comes at a time when international concern over human rights violations and political oppression in Nicaragua is growing. In a press release, Frost emphasized the United States' role as a "beacon of democracy" and argued that simply extending TPS for Nicaraguans falls short of what is necessary to address the crisis adequately.
An extension of TPS, according to Frost, is not enough. He urged the Biden Administration to redesignate TPS for Nicaragua as soon as possible. Castro echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unsafe conditions that make it impossible for hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans to return home. He stressed that redesignating TPS for Nicaragua would save lives and protect families who have fled oppression and violence.
Cherfilus-McCormick emphasized the severity of the crisis, stating that sending Nicaraguans back would be "irresponsible and cruel." Salazar criticized the Nicaraguan government for its extensive human rights abuses.
The coalition's letter argues that the Biden Administration's 18-month extension of TPS for Nicaragua is inadequate and calls for a complete redesignation due to the alarming conditions in the country. Approximately 450,000 Nicaraguans residing in the U.S. would be impacted by this decision.
As of now, the Biden Administration has not formally responded to the bipartisan plea for the redesignation of TPS for Nicaraguans.
