Democrats in the Senate recently introduced new legislation aiming to protect the hundreds of thousands of immigrants whose legal status has been revoked by the Trump administration from facing deportation. The bill, titled “Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency” (SECURE) Act, seeks to provide “long-term stability” to recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs.
The Trump administration has moved to end the TPS and DED programs, alleging misuse from the Biden administration. The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to notify Congress and explain why immigrants under these programs’ statuses are being revoked.
Under the bill, TPS and DED holders and their spouse and children who have resided in the U.S. for five years or longer would be eligible to apply for a green card. The SECURE Act would also allow TPS applicants to work and apply for travel outside the U.S. while their application is pending.
Is the SECURE Act Likely to Pass?
Despite being backed by 30 lawmakers in the Senate, both chambers of Congress are controlled by the Republican party – therefore, the SECURE Act’s fate is unclear.
“America has long used the TPS and DED programs to offer special legal protections to individuals in the United States whose lives would be put at extreme risk if forced to return to their countries of origin,” Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) stated in a press release. “As they’ve sought safety and stability here, TPS and DED recipients have built new lives in America, living here legally for years—sometimes decades—and making important contributions to our communities.”
About 500,000 immigrants under the TPS program currently face potential deportation, some to countries still experiencing dangerous and unstable conditions.
Contact a Deportation Attorney Today
Although facing the possibility of deportation is scary, we highly advise immigrants to remain cooperative with local law officers and to proactively contact deportation attorneys.
Reeves Immigration Law Group has served immigrants and their loved ones for 40 years, obtaining success even in the most complex cases. Whether you are concerned about you and your family’s legal rights, or facing possible detainment or deportation, our team of immigration lawyers can provide expert advice on how to move forward.
Contact us today to connect with the best deportation lawyers. We promise to be by your side through it all because we believe in making a difference in the lives of others and our community.
