Pinoys in NY push for Temporary Protected Status for PH

NEW YORK, USA – With the seeming lack of action by the US government on the Philippines’ request for Temporary Protected Status, several Filipino American organizations in the New York-New Jersey area banded together last week to press for the immediate granting of the status. (READ: Post-Haiyan, PH seeks immigration relief)

“As one Filipino community, let our voices, let our coming together, once again remind the Department of Homeland Security of the pending request for TPS,” Fr. Julian Jagudilla, OFM, Director of the Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi (CSFA), said.

“The TPS can and will be a big help in easing the suffering of Filipinos in the US who have families and friends directly affected by Typhoon Haiyan. We are asking the Obama administration and the DHS to be sensitive to the plight of the Filipinos here in the US as well as of those in the Philippines,” Fr. Jagudilla, who convened the meeting, said.

The new coalition, TPS for the Philippines Now, has scheduled a forum and an interfaith vigil to rally the community to campaign for the speedy approval of the TPS.

The forum, which aims to gather widespread support for the granting of the status, will be held on Saturday, February 1 (New York time), from 1 to 4 pm at the San Damiano Hall of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in midtown Manhattan.

On February 13, an inter-faith prayer vigil in support of the TPS campaign will be held from 6 to 7:30 pm in front of the DHS office at 26 Federal Plaza in downtown Manhattan.

Under Section 244 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, a Temporary Protected Status or TPS can be granted to foreign nationals in the U.S. when conditions in their home countries temporarily prevent them from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.

For the complete story, visit Immigranation. – Rappler.com