The Biden administration took a major step to protect Black immigrants this week, announcing that it would be designating Sudan, and redesignating South Sudan, for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This new designation will expand eligibility to thousands more people who are already in the U.S. and will shield them from deportation for 18 months.
“Sudan is currently experiencing political instability and unrest, and armed conflict in South Sudan has displaced millions of residents,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas. “After careful consideration, I have decided to offer temporary protection to Sudanese and South Sudanese nationals in the United States until conditions in each country improve and individuals can safely return.” The announcement was widely supported by advocates.
"These renewed protections have been long awaited and much needed,” said UndocuBlack Network Policy and Advocacy Analyst Timantha Goff in a Temporary Protected Status Deferred Enforced Departure Administrative Advocacy Coalition (TPS-DED AAC) statement received by Daily Kos. UndocuBlack is among the over 100 organizations commending the Biden administration’s announcement.
“As the people of Sudan and South Sudan continue to face violent turmoil, natural disaster, and a severe lack of access to humanitarian aid, it would be unconscionable to return anyone to such conditions when the United States is more than capable of providing safe refuge,” Goff continued. “We commend the Biden administration for prioritizing humane and pragmatic solutions for immigrant communities, and we hope to see more of the same in the future."
DHS said in a statement Wednesday that the Biden administration made its decision to designate relief for Sudan following last year’s military coup, which “has triggered political instability, violence, and human rights abuses against civilians.” In South Sudan, “armed clashes have resulted in the mass displacement of civilians, particularly women and girls.” Both have faced “unprecedented” flooding that has resulted in dire food shortages.
“These decisions today will protect the lives of Sudanese and South Sudanese in the United States,” said Haitian Bridge Alliance Communications and Legislative Director Taisha Saintil. TPS for Sudan had been under attack by the previous administration, but was blocked by the courts. That judge “said many of the immigrants who would be affected had US-born children,” BuzzFeed News reports.
Advocates had last month reissued their call for the Biden administration to act on temporary relief for South Sudan, saying that this program “is a readily available tool the administration has at its disposal right now.” They have continued that call for other countries also facing humanitarian crises, including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Ukraine. Nearly 150 members of Congress have in recent days urged the administration to enact TPS for Ukrainians. That relief could protect roughly 30,000 people already here.
TPS-DED AAC also said that the Biden administration has provided “Special Student Relief to international students from South Sudan due to the ongoing crisis,” and urged the same for students from Sudan. Advocates have similarly urged SSR for Ukrainian students.
“It is encouraging that the Biden administration is recognizing the need for progress on immigration through executive action,” said America’s Voice Director of Communication Doug Rivlin. “President Biden has the power to use his own authority to provide TPS protections to those who are unable to return to dangerous in-country conditions around the world. We call on President Biden to build on today’s announcement by using executive action to grant TPS designations to other countries facing internal conflict and displacement.”
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