Meet Alex, a 15-year-old from Miami who dreams of becoming a doctor. His 12-year-old sister, Sofia, aspires to be an animal doctor one day, as she adores pets. Sofia often remarks on how her mother, Elena, is a constant source of strength, always ready to help with her challenges. Alex shares that he and his mom frequently find joy in making each other laugh.
Over in Philadelphia, 11-year-old Layla has ambitions of feeding those in need. Her older sister, Fatima, excels in math and has a passion for helping others, too. Their younger brother, Samir, is just 10 and looks up to his sisters. The trio describes their mother as loving and selfless, always prioritizing others before herself. Samir once said if he could have any superpower, it would be to grant wishes—specifically, to give their mother a green card. This wish reflects a harsh reality faced by countless children like Alex, Sofia, Layla, Fatima, and Samir: their parents, living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), risk deportation due to the lack of permanent residency options.
“TPS keeps my mom safe here,” Sofia explains about her mother, Elena, who immigrated from Honduras. “If she had to go back, I would be so worried about her safety since we would be so far apart. Life without her support would be tough.” Layla adds, “TPS allows my mom to work, pay taxes, and live her life.” Fatima notes the sadness they would feel if their mom had to return to Sudan, and young Samir’s heartbreaking silence in response to the question about their mom’s future speaks volumes.
What is Temporary Protected Status?
According to Families Belong Together, TPS is a legal status that protects individuals from returning to dangerous conditions in their home countries. Unlike refugee status, which is granted to those outside the U.S. fleeing persecution, TPS provides temporary relief but lacks a pathway to permanent residency, which is a critical gap that needs to be addressed.
TPS has been crucial for over two decades, providing stability to hundreds of thousands of people who have built lives in the U.S. Yet, without legislative support for permanent residency, families like Alex’s and Layla’s could face heartbreaking separations as their parents are forced to leave.
Imagine fleeing a war, famine, or a country ravaged by disease. Imagine all the sacrifices made to bring your children to safety, find a job, and contribute positively to your community—only to face the prospect of being uprooted again because TPS is removed. Think about not being there for your children during their milestones, being unable to comfort them during tough times, or not watching them grow into adulthood.
Sandra Cordero, Director of Families Belong Together, states, “Ending TPS is a cruel act that harms children and families. The family separations we’ve witnessed are just the beginning. Congress must act to secure permanent protections for TPS holders.” These families are mirrors of our own—they work hard, support their communities, and dream big for their children. They are teachers, healthcare workers, and laborers who contribute to society while fearing separation from their loved ones.
Moreover, the economic impact of deporting TPS residents is staggering. According to Working Families United, eliminating TPS would cost employers nearly $1 billion in turnover, along with a whopping $164 billion in lost GDP and $6.9 billion in lost Social Security and Medicare contributions over the next decade. The ramifications extend to housing stability, as 60,000 TPS families would be forced to abandon their homes, costing taxpayers an additional $3 billion.
Belinda, a TPS recipient, emphasizes, “We are integral to this country’s economy. We are farmers, workers, and business owners.” Yet, she admits, “I feel unsafe discussing my TPS status, but I must advocate for my family.”
Even if you don’t personally know a TPS-affected family, the implications of ending this program will impact us all. Understanding the current political climate, many are not surprised by the administration’s aggressive stance on immigrant families. To drive change, we must advocate for legislation that offers a path to permanent citizenship for families living under TPS.
Consider signing petitions urging Congress to support the Dream Act of 2019 and the Secure Act, both of which would extend protections and pathways to citizenship for these families. Engage with local organizations that assist at-risk families and utilize your voting power to ensure lawmakers who support these measures remain in office.
As a parent, the thought of my children facing life without me is terrifying. We must do everything we can to ensure that families like Belinda’s are not subjected to this inhumane reality. As she poignantly states, “I don’t know what would happen to my children if I were forced to leave.”
Summary
The article highlights the emotional and economic consequences of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for families living in the U.S. It follows the stories of children like Alex and Sofia, who fear the separation from their parents due to the lack of a pathway to permanent residency under TPS. The piece emphasizes the urgent need for legislative action to protect these families and discusses the broader implications for society and the economy if TPS is revoked.