By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.-09) and several other Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members are urging the Biden-Harris administration to take immediate action to protect Black immigrant communities during the upcoming lame duck session. This call comes amid growing concerns regarding the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed immigration policies on Black communities and families with mixed immigration status.
Lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to utilize existing legal authorities to implement several critical executive actions. These include extending and redesignating temporary protected status (TPS) for currently designated countries, addressing the TPS processing backlog, finalizing an automatic extension rule for work permits, prioritizing the processing of work permits across all categories and designating special student relief (SSR) for Nigerian F-1 students studying in the United States.
In a statement emailed to the AFRO, Clarke said that during former President Trump’s first term in office he adopted regulations that harmed migrant communities.
“We witnessed the implementation of policies that were detrimental to immigrant communities, including the expansion of migrant detention programs and the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border,” said Clarke.
“In 2019, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained migrants at unprecedented levels, with Black detainees facing abuse at disproportionately high rates. With Trump’s pledge to conduct what he describes as the largest mass deportation in history, we are gravely concerned that individuals of African descent will be disproportionately targeted. These actions are crucial to shield innocent people and families from further disruption in their lives,” she added.
In a statement obtained by the AFRO, Nils Kinuani, federal policy manager of African Communities Together (ACT) said that she stands in solidarity with the Democratic lawmakers.
“The scapegoating of immigrants has placed Black immigrants at a precarious intersection, where they are both targeted by harmful rhetoric and policies, while their needs and contributions remain largely invisible,” said Kinuani.
“With President-elect Trump’s mass deportation agenda looming, the time for proactive measures to protect our communities is now. We urge President Biden to leverage his authority to defend Black immigrants in an increasingly xenophobic and racist immigration landscape,” she added.
Gbenga Ogunjimi from the Nigerian Center said that Biden should grant TPS for Nigerian nationals and students living in the U.S.
“As the United States transitions to a new administration, we recommend prioritizing this request for the incoming administration, especially given its stated commitment to merit-based immigration. This is particularly relevant for individuals with skills that are in demand in the U.S. economy,” he said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.-20) also emphasized the importance of renewing TPS, highlighting its benefits for both the United States and TPS holders.
“Renewing TPS is advantageous for our economy, as TPS holders contribute over $4 billion in taxes,” she asserted. “If TPS is not renewed, we risk creating massive socio-economic disruptions, forcing thousands to leave their families behind. The answer is clear: We must extend TPS.”
The letter advocating for these critical protections was co-signed by numerous lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.-1), André Carson (D-Ind.-7), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.-1), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.-5), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.-5), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.-7) and several others.
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