WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) opposes the Trump Administration’s latest political move targeted at harming immigrant communities lawfully living in the United States through the federal court’s approval to remove Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Removal of TPS status would impact nearly 400,000 people and their 300,000 children who are in a protected status to reside in the U.S.
NASW opposes these efforts that would require people with TPS from designated countries to leave the United States, separating families that include children who are U.S. citizens. This decision could lead to mass deportations, more family separations, and impact people across the country who are DACA-eligible.
The Administration’s effort to end TPS is cruel and wrong, and its harmful impact will be even greater amidst this pandemic. We are disappointed that the court allowed the termination of protections that have helped to raise wages, support a stable workforce and reduce worker exploitation in our country. Not only do we strongly disagree with this terrible decision, the administration has not provided any evidence or compelling rationale as to why TPS must end. TPS families need permanent residence now, not a betrayal from the country where they have lived and contributed for more than two decades.
Social workers stand for the humane treatment of all individuals and oppose these efforts to deport people who are lawfully in the country due to extremely unsafe conditions in their home country.
NASW implores the Trump administration to promptly withdraw the removal of TPS status and instead promote policies to keep people safely residing in the United States. We call on social workers around the United States to take action to support TPS families and we will join efforts by immigrant rights advocates locally and nationally, to appeal this decision and to counter the Trump administration's plan to tear apart our families