Since 2017, we have organized to protect the TPSians families and fight for permanent residency.

ABOUT THE MASSACHUSETTS TPS COMMITTEE

What is the Massachusetts TPS Committee?

On Sunday, June 4th, 2017, a significant gathering took place at the Consulate of El Salvador in East Boston, bringing together more than 200 Salvadorans who are beneficiaries of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. This assembly marked the initiation of the National Campaign for Residence Now. The backdrop of the meeting included the Trump administration's recent decision to extend TPS for Haitians for a mere six months, with terminations already in effect for two African countries. In the face of such challenges, the importance of community unity and organization has become more pronounced than ever.

The statements made by John Kelly further underscored the urgency for TPS beneficiaries to take proactive steps in seeking solutions for their status. This involves forging alliances and strategies with supportive members of Congress and Senators who comprehend and champion their cause.

Our group's primary mission is to disseminate accurate information about the TPS status of Central Americans. Operating independently, we are not affiliated with any specific community group or organization, although we welcome legally established members to join our initiative. The crucial aspect is that all members share a common concern for the future of the Salvadoran community and a strong determination to pave the way toward permanent residence.

Recognizing that the journey ahead will be arduous and demand sacrifices, we believe these efforts are unequivocally worthwhile. They represent a pathway to a future in the United States, a country cherished as home by thousands of Salvadorans. We express our sincere gratitude to Salvadoran compatriots and American citizens who have already shown their support for this initiative.

We extend an invitation to all to join our campaign, urging you to involve your family and friends in this collective endeavor. Together, we can collaboratively work towards securing a better future for Salvadorans under TPS.

Who makes up the Massachusetts TPS Committee?

Approximately 200 TPS holders participate in the Massachusetts TPS Committee and is one of the 35 committees currently existing across the United States under the umbrella of the Nacional TPS Alliance. Other members include the U.S. citizen and immigrant children and family members of TPS holders, clergy, non-profit organizations, community leaders and other stakeholders. Us TPS holders have created a local committee in Massachusetts. Other non-profit organizations, groups and unions are currently providing support at different levels. For the names of the National TPS Alliance member committees, organizations, and allied groups, please refer to the list at the end of this document.

Why are TPS beneficiaries organizing now?

We organize collectively to preserve fairness, respect, and dignity for TPS holders, and for all immigrants in the United States. There has been no government accountability for creating the untenable conditions for TPS families nor an adequate analysis of country conditions in the decision-making processes that have led to the termination of the majority of TPS designations. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not acknowledged the unfair plight of thousands of families that could be torn apart and
displaced because of the lack of accountability and callousness of these decisions. In the almost 37 years that various countries were granted TPS, DHS has not adequately prepared in order to prevent this unjust, rushed and unprecedented sequence of TPS terminations for almost all countries with this relief. Additionally, international affairs, refugee rights, and regional security would be negatively impacted as a result of the current policies against TPS.

Why do we want to protect TPS?

We intend to defend the rights of all migrants who can no longer return to their home countries. This protection is a legal, proven measure that allows immigrants to have work authorization and contribute to the United States economy, society and culture. Many TPS holders have been living and working in the United States for years, some with 20 or 30 plus years under the status. They have families, U.S. citizen children, and they are homeowners and business owners. Most do not have other immigration relief readily available to them, even though many could or should have been granted asylum or refugee status by the United States. We believe that no families, including TPS Families should not be separated.

What do we mean by ResidencyNow?

We recognize that TPS was created as a short-term solution for complex issues, but what brings deeper understanding to the beneficiaries’ circumstances means understanding the turmoil present in their homelands. Comprehensive Immigration Reform has been thwarted at every turn, leaving TPS beneficiaries in a permanent legal limbo. TPS beneficiaries want a legislative solution that provides a way to adjust for permanent residency so they can finally exit a life in limbo and be able to participate more fully and securely in their communities. Collectively, we have come up with Legislative Principles that drive our work and efforts.

The ability to adjust to Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status.
The ability to adjust status without having to depart from the U.S. even if entered without inspection.
The inclusion of all people that had TPS and were originally eligible for the program, even if they have failed to continue to maintain their registration current, or if their TPS status has been revoked.
A “clean” TPS bill that does not attach increased border security provisions, funding for a border wall, the further militarization of the borders in other countries, biometrics, or funding for increased detention and deportation of migrants and asylum-seekers.
The inclusion of all past and present TPS nationalities, including Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, that have had their TPS status terminated.
Legislation should protect all TPS beneficiaries from administrative sanctions or other restrictions placed on specific countries.

Our Requests of Members of Congress:

Urge the Administration to extend TPS for 18 months for all recipient countries, with an emphasis on those with upcoming renewal/termination deadlines.
Champion, sponsor, support legislation that grants permanent residency to TPS holders.
Urge the Administration to fulfill its promise and process the current Central America Minor Program applications for both parole and refugee status. The majority of the applicants are the children of TPS beneficiaries.

Meet the Team