Senators Luján, Cortez Masto, Padilla Host Press Conference Highlighting Urgent Need for President Biden to Protect TPS, DACA Recipients

Video of the press conference is available here.

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) hosted a press conference with Andrea Flores from FWD.us and Jose Cabrera, a TPS holder from El Salvador. The Senators called on President Joe Biden to act quickly to protect TPS (Temporary Protected Status) and DACA recipients before the end of his term.

"I am proud to join Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Padilla in the fight to protect immigrants, TPS holders, Dreamers, families fleeing violence, and those seeking shelter," said Senator Luján. "To ensure the safety and security of immigrant communities across the country, we are urging President Biden to take steps to designate, redesignate, and extend TPS for Ecuador, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, as well as expedite the process for DACA recipients to renew their status. I will not remain silent when it comes to protecting our immigrant families and will continue to fight to protect our most vulnerable."

"There are thousands of immigrant families from countries who clearly qualify for TPS that are at risk of being sent back to horrific conditions" said Senator Cortez Masto. "Many of these immigrants, along with so many of our Dreamers, have been living and working in our communities for years. President Biden should act now to protect these immigrant communities and keep families together."

"Less than six weeks before the Trump Administration begins, hundreds of thousands of lawful DACA recipients and those eligible for Temporary Protected Status fear they will be forced out of their homes or separated from their U.S. citizen children or spouses," said Senator Padilla. "This isn't just immoral - by taking away lawful status and work authorization for these individuals, we'd be gutting critical sectors of our workforce. President Biden has the power to prevent these harms, and I urge him to use this moment to protect long-term immigrants and strengthen our economy."

"President Biden still has a critical window to take concrete steps within his legal authority to protect hundreds of thousands of immigrants from family separation. FWD.us is proud to join Senators Cortez Masto, Padilla, Lujan, and the growing number of lawmakers, business and national leaders calling on President Biden to immediately expand TPS to Nicaragua, Ecuador, Venezuela, and other qualifying nations and expedite the processing of every DACA renewal application in the pipeline before he leaves the White House," said Andrea Flores, FWD.us Vice President of Immigration Policy. "To fail to act now, to deny safety to the very people we welcomed in and provided refuge to, would be a terrible mistake that will harm millions of immigrants, mixed-status, and American households for years to come. It is not just a legal assessment in this case; it is a potentially life-saving decision."

"I came here from El Salvador, built my life here, and put down roots here. This is my home. I've worked hard in landscaping to support my loved ones, and I'm proud to be part of this community. But right now, there's so much fear among immigrants like me, especially with the new administration coming in," said Jose Cabrera, a TPS holder from El Salvador who has lived in Maryland for over 30 years and is a member of CASA. "I've had Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for decades, and I still need permanent protection. But we need action now to ensure my immediate safety and future. President Biden, you have the power to make a real difference, but time is running out. Please, protect immigrants who have been part of this country for so long. Don't wait-our families and our futures depend on it."

Last week, Senators Luján, Cortez Masto, and Padilla sent a letter to the President, urging him to designate, redesignate, and extend TPS for Ecuador, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, as well as make it faster for DACA recipients to renew their status. These actions can be done immediately and are within the President's legal ability. By taking action now, the President could keep hundreds of thousands of hardworking, long-term immigrants from being sent back to dangerous conditions.

Senator Luján has long worked to support immigrant communities in New Mexico and across the country, leading legislation to broaden legal pathways to citizenship and calling to make cancellation of removal more accessible for long-term noncitizen residents of the United States. Senator Luján has also consistently fought to protect Dreamers, TPS holders, and hardworking immigrant families currently living in the United States.

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