Letter from President Eisgruber to Congress Regarding the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Program

Feb. 8, 2018

February 8, 2018

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Majority Leader
S-230 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House
Office of the Speaker of the House
H-232 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Senate Minority Leader
Office of the Senate Minority Leader
S-221Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
House Minority Leader
Office of the House Minority Leader
H-204 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Mr. Speaker, Minority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader Pelosi:

I am writing to urge Congress to pass legislation providing legal status for immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).  In recent months, the administration has announced the termination of TPS for individuals from these nations.  Unless Congress acts, over 300,000 TPS recipients will soon lose their ability to work legally in the U.S. and become subject to deportation.

Since its inception, the United States has stood as a beacon of hope and opportunity for people around the globe.  The TPS program exemplifies the humanitarian ideals of this country, providing relief for immigrants from countries struggling with armed conflict, environmental disaster, an epidemic, or other extraordinary conditions.

The majority of the individuals now facing forced departures have been in this country for nearly two decades and they contribute to our society in productive ways.  TPS recipients have put down deep roots in the U.S.: they have bought homes, started families, and become valued members of the community, including employees at Princeton University who provide important campus services.  We should recognize and celebrate the contributions of these individuals, who have chosen to make the United States their home and benefited our economy and our nation.

I urge you to act quickly to provide continued protections for TPS recipients.  Doing so will prevent unnecessary heartbreak for the hundreds of thousands of families across the country—many of which include U.S. citizens—that could have their lives turned upside down as a result of these TPS terminations.  It also will avoid disruption for entities that employ TPS workers.

Sincerely,
Christopher L. Eisgruber

cc:       The Honorable Ted Cruz ’92
The Honorable Jeff Merkley *82
The Honorable Ken Buck ’81
The Honorable Mike Gallagher ’06
The Honorable Derek Kilmer ’96
The Honorable Raja Krishnamoorthi ’95
The Honorable Leonard Lance *82
The Honorable Jared Polis ’96
The Honorable John Sarbanes ’84
The Honorable Terri Sewell ’86
The Honorable Robert Menendez
The Honorable Cory Booker
The Honorable Donald Norcross
The Honorable Frank A. LoBiondo
The Honorable Tom MacArthur
The Honorable Christopher H. Smith
The Honorable Josh Gottheimer
The Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr.
The Honorable Albio Sires
The Honorable Bill Pascrell, Jr.
The Honorable Donald M. Payne, Jr.
The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen
The Honorable Bonnie Watson Coleman