For Immediate Release
Monday, November 27, 2023
Media Contact:
Erik Villalobos, evillalobos@ndlon.org
Leaders of the National TPS Alliance meet with Central American Parliament (PARLACEN)
(Guatemala City) On Thursday, November 23rd, a delegation of leaders from the National TPS Alliance traveled to Guatemala to speak at the Parliament of Central America (PARLACEN) on the reality of the TPS migrant community in the United States.
These leaders, who through their advocacy have been crucial in protecting the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, met with members of the PARLACEN to ask Central American leaders to create a commission to support their efforts to protect the TPS program, their fight for permanent residency, and their call to designate a new TPS for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
The following statements are from the leaders of the National TPS Alliance, participants in the delegation to Central America:
“We ask the leaders of the PARLACEN to accompany us in our fight for permanent residency in the United States, to amplify our demands, and to speak out in favor of a new TPS for Central American countries. We also seek support for the migrant community in the US to create mechanisms that we can measure if the promises and commitments made are fulfilled later.”– Erasmo Ramos, Honduran Leader in the National TPS Alliance
“Earlier this year, sociologist Cecilia Menjivar and Salvadoran economist William Pleites published reports on current social and economic conditions in El Salvador and Honduras. The reports tell us a very concerning reality about the Central American region, that our countries are unable to receive an influx of their compatriots living in the United States, and that migration from these countries will intensify as conditions fail to improve.” – Elsy Flores-Ayala, Salvadoran Leader in the National TPS Alliance
“At this time, in addition to continuing our fight for permanent residency, we are asking the Biden administration to use its executive authority, the power of its pen, to protect Salvadorans, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Guatemalans and other migrant groups who need immediate help . We want a re-designation and expansion of the TPS program!”– Debora Gonzalez, Guatemalan Leader in the National TPS Alliance
“The United States owes a historic debt to Central America, due to its long history of political interference, the mistreatment of our migrant people at the border and in the country’s interior, and the vital contribution in labor that we have made, and continue to make, to boost the US. economy, even in the midst of a global pandemic. TPS is the bare minimum that the United States can offer us in recognition of our sacrifice. We are asking for the leaders of the PARLACEN to join our call towards justice for Central America!”-Carlos Bautista, Guatemalan Leader in the National TPS Alliance
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