Lawmakers urge White House to grant Guatemalans protective status

(The Center Square) – Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly is leading a group of congressmen in urging the Biden administration to designate Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforcement Departure for Guatemalans residing in America.

Connolly and Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., are leading nearly 60 members of Congress who cite climate change and violence in Guatemala in providing “temporary humanitarian protections” through the programs.

Upon granting protected status, eligible foreign nationals “are not removable from the United States” may obtain employment and travel authorization. In addition, “once granted TPS, an individual also cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of his or her immigration status,” according to U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services.

DHS is an acronym for the Department of Homeland Security.

The Constitution provides the president with the discretion to authorize deferred departure which is not a specific immigration status, and “individuals covered by DED are not subject to removal from the United States for a designated period of time.”

The lawmakers say Guatemalans should not be returned to their home country due to natural disasters and widespread violence.

“Several significant and overlapping natural disasters are causing substantial disruption and hampering the country’s ability to adequately handle the return of its nationals at this time,” the congressmen wrote . "Additionally, widespread impunity, corruption, and violence are preventing Guatemalans from returning to the country safely."

The congressmen say “deeply rooted” problems pose a risk to Guatemalans residing in the U.S., noting the government’s efforts to address them.

“The problems in Guatemala today are deeply rooted and they pose a threat not only to the safety and security of Guatemalan nationals who have long resided in the United States, but also to the U.S. Government’s efforts to address the root causes of forced and irregular migration in the hemisphere.”

Neighboring countries also receiving temporary protection include El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Less than a handful of countries or territories are currently protected by the deferral status, including Lebanon, Liberia, Hong Kong and Palestinians.