Washington, DC – Last week, the Biden Administration did the bare minimum for climate change-affected migrant families, announcing the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Today, as the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals holds a final hearing on Ramos v. Mayorkas, countless families affected by natural disasters fueled by climate change will remain in the shadows without legal protections from deportation.
Statement from Quentin Scott, Federal Director for CCAN:
“While the Biden Administration’s decision allows hundreds of thousands of TPS holders to breathe a sigh of relief, CCAN is disappointed in the Administration for not re-designating El Salvador, Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and excluding Guatemala, Pakistan, and other countries affected by climate change-impacted natural disasters. By linking climate change to Temporary Protected Status, we acknowledge the interdependence of environmental challenges and the humanitarian assistance required for affected communities.
More than 15,000 CCAN supporters and other concerned residents nationwide stood up in support of protecting climate change migrants. The Administration passed up a moment to show real leadership and courage for climate change migrants –and now the fight for #TPSJustice and comprehensive immigration reform continues. TPS provides essential protection and support to climate change migrants, enabling them to rebuild their lives and contribute to their new communities.”
More than 15,000 CCAN supporters and other concerned residents nationwide stood up in support of protecting climate change migrants. The Administration passed up a moment to show real leadership and courage for climate change migrants –and now the fight for #TPSJustice and comprehensive immigration reform continues. TPS provides essential protection and support to climate change migrants, enabling them to rebuild their lives and contribute to their new communities.”
Quentin Scott
Federal Director, CCAN
Climate change migration is commonly associated with the future submergence of coastal cities; however, the truth is, people are already being forced to abandon their homes due to climate change. Thousands of Pakistani migrants displaced by recent deadly floods, which have left a third of the country underwater and nearly half a million people displaced, did not receive a TPS designation.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provides vital protection for climate change migrants, granting them temporary legal status while residing in the U.S. However, the recent decision only benefits 337,000 climate migrant families who arrived by 2018, disregarding those who fled more recent climate disasters.
By excluding these individuals, the Biden administration exposes them to the same crises that TPS recipients are shielded from, which is illogical. This missed opportunity highlights a lack of true leadership and courage. The pursuit for #TPSJustice persists, and President Biden can still take action by redesignating today.
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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.chesapeakeclimate.org
