Espaillat Leads Congressional Call for TPS for Ecuadorians

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), in collaboration with Ecuador National Coalition, Hispanic Federation, Voces Latinas, Jackson Heights Immigrant Center, and MomsRising, gathered at the U.S. Capitol to call on Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the Biden administration to designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ecuadorians residing in the United States. The press conference comes as advocates prepare for the looming fear of mass deportations under the upcoming administration, a policy that could force Ecuadorians to return to a country experiencing a deadly armed conflict, putting their lives at risk. TPS for Ecuador is essential to provide stability, work authorization, and security for immigrants who have long been integral to our communities.

View clips and photos from the press conference hereand watch the live stream here.

"Thank you to each of the advocates who stood with us today as champions of our call to designate TPS for Ecuadorian families here in the United States," said Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). "Ecuadorians are contributing to the success of our nation, and we stand united to call on the Biden administration to grant TPS as one of its priority acts before leaving the White House in an act of solidarity for the Ecuadorian community here in the U.S. when they need our help the most."

"New York's 14th Congressional District is proudly home to one of the largest Ecuadorian communities in the United States. They came to the United States to escape ongoing gang violence, soaring homicide rates, and widespread malnutrition and contribute to our culture and local economies. But many of them remain undocumented as they work through our backlogged immigration system. I ask the Biden administration to take action and issue Temporary Protected Status for the thousands of Ecuadorians living in our country right now after fleeing devastating acts of violence-granting them some relief before they face increased efforts to deport migrants back to dangerous conditions," said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14).

"We are standing here today because lives are on the line. As an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador, I know firsthand the fear and uncertainty that comes with living in the shadows. Ecuador is facing the deadliest crisis in its history, and deporting undocumented Ecuadorians now would be a death sentence for many. For 16 years, I have called the United States home. I have fought to build a life, contribute to my community, and advocate for policies that protect and uplift immigrants like me. Temporary Protected Status for Ecuador is not just a policy-it's a lifeline. President Biden, the time to act is now. Protecting immigrant families is not just the right thing to do-it's an urgent necessity. Our lives depend on it." said Anghy Idrovo Castillo, lead coordinator TPS for Ecuador National Coalition and prospective TPS holder.

"Community organizations like Voces Latinas and Jackson Heights Immigrant Center are ready to assist Ecuadorian families with their TPS applications. Over the past two years, we have helped more than 4,000 individuals with their asylum, work authorization, and TPS applications. We don't just see these as applications; we see real people and families striving to build a life in the US. Everyone deserves a life free from violence," said Nathaly Rubio-Torio, CEO of Voces Latinas.

"We know that if the Trump administration's mass deportation policy is implemented as proposed, it will indiscriminately target migrants across the country. There is a narrow window of time when the Biden administration can take action to mitigate some of the most egregious harms the next Trump administration will do to our most vulnerable communities. Ecuador is currently experiencing significant economic and political unrest, resulting in a spike in violence in the country. This is why Hispanic Federation is calling the Biden administration to provide Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to undocumented migrants from Ecuador, many of whom were forced to flee their home country because of the unchecked human rights abuses," said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. "Through TPS, refugees from Ecuador can find safe harbor in the United States and obtain the proper work authorization to enable them to provide for themselves and their families while contributing to our society."

"I was raised in Queens, NY, but born in Ecuador. I am the oldest of three. I graduated magna cum lade in political science from Hunter College. Although I was a straight-A student, my lack of status limits my future. I come from a family of mixed-status. My younger sisters are US citizens. They worry about my parents, my grandparents, and me. Sadly, Ecuador is in turmoil with uncontrollable crime and a complete collapse of the criminal justice system," Camila Ruilova, prospective TPS holder and member of Jackson Heights Immigrant Center. "My family has been here for over 20 years, and with the new administration, we are facing deportation. My family would be ripped apart. We ask Biden to act now and protect my family and families like mine."

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government's vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at [email protected]