Measure supported by Joe Crowley, Grace Meng.
By Sujeet Rajan
NEW YORK: The United States is granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Nepalese nationals presently in the U.S, in the wake of the devastation caused by earthquakes in Nepal.
U.S. Reps. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, and Grace Meng (D-Queens), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, made the announcement of the relief granted to Nepalese citizens.
The move protects citizens of Nepal from deportation or detainment so that they are not forced to return to dangerous and unsafe conditions that the earthquake caused in their country, according to a press release.
The decision comes after Crowley and Meng led dozens of members of Congress in a letter urging Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Secretary of State John Kerry to grant TPS to Nepalese nationals.
“As the people of Nepal continue to mourn the lives lost and struggle to recover from this terrible tragedy, I’m proud our nation will continue its tradition of humanitarian support by granting TPS to Nepalis currently in our country,” said Crowley, in a statement. “This is a critical step that will allow those in Queens and in communities across the country to remain here until the Nepali government is better suited to handle their return, thus helping Nepal’s government focus on their important recovery efforts.”
Meng said in a statement: “My heart continues to ache for all those impacted by the terrible tragedy in Nepal. Allowing citizens of Nepal who are in Queens and throughout the nation to remain in the U.S. until it’s safe to return is the right and decent thing to do, and I thank Secretary Johnson and Secretary Kerry for being responsive to our request. As Nepal continues to recover, the U.S. and international community must continue to assist the country with needed relief efforts.”
Luna Ranjit, a Nepali American and executive director of Adhikaar, expressed her gratitude to Crowley and Meng for their support to the community.
“The Nepali community in the U.S. is relieved that we don’t have to worry about our visas. We can now focus on supporting our friends and families back home and contribute towards rebuilding our homeland,” she said.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the U.S. can provide TPS when conditions in a country prevent its citizens from returning safely such as natural disaster, civil war, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.
In order to qualify for TPS, applicants must have been continuously present in the U.S. since June 24, 2015. TPS will be in place for 18 months, until December 24, 2016. Applicants must apply for this status by December 21, 2015.