REP. CLARKE HOSTS PRESS CONFERENCE TO URGE THE ADMINISTRATION TO PROTECT BLACK IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY DURING THE LAME DUCK SESSION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 17, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: [email protected]

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), colleagues, and advocacy groups held a press conference at the Capitol calling for the Biden Administration to protect Black immigrant communities during the lame duck session, with concern about how President-elect Trump's proposed immigration policies will impact Black communities and families of mixed status.

The press conference comes on the heels of Rep. Clarke and colleagues letter to the administration urging President Biden to exercise his existing legal authorities and take the following executive actions: extend and redesignate Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for currently designated countries, clear the TPS processing backlog, finalize a rule to provide auto-extensions for work permits, take immediate steps to prioritize the processing of work permits across all categories, and designate special student relief (SSR) to Nigerian F-1 students studying in the United States.

"During President-elect Trump's previous term, we saw the Trump Administration enact detrimental policies, such as expanding migrant detention programs and building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico Border. Further in 2019, we witnessed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detain migrants at record-high levels with Black detainees facing abuse at disproportionate rates," the lawmakers wrote. With his pledge to conduct the largest mass deportation in history and enlist the military to carry out this plan, we are extremely concerned that people of African descent will be targeted at higher rates. These actions are imperative to protect innocent people and families from further disruptions to their lives."

Advocacy groups joined the lawmakers to show support and solidarity for this effort: Nils Kinuani, African Communities Together (ACT), Ronald Claude, Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), Gbenga Ogunjimi, Nigerian Center, and Daniel Tse, Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA).

"The scapegoating of immigrants and immigration has placed Black immigrants at a dangerous crossroads, where they are both targeted by harmful rhetoric and policies, while simultaneously having their needs and contributions rendered invisible. With President-elect Trump's promise of a mass deportation agenda, the clock is ticking for proactive action to protect our communities. We urge President Biden to use his authority to ensure that Black immigrants are safeguarded in an increasingly xenophobic and racist immigration landscape," said Nils Kinuani, Federal Policy Manager of African Communities Together.

"We urge the administration to grant Nigeria Special Student Relief (SSR) designation, or, if possible, Temporary Protected Status (TPS). We request that the Biden administration extend these critical protections to Nigerian nationals and students in the U.S. before its term concludes. As the United States transitions to a new administration, we recommend prioritizing this request as a policy recommendation for the incoming administration, particularly given its stated commitment to favoring merit-based immigration. This approach is especially relevant for individuals with skills in demand in the U.S. economy," said Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director of the Nigerian Center and lead of the TPS Coalition for Nigeria.

"Renewing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is advantageous for both the United States and the individuals who hold this status. TPS holders contribute more than $4 billion in taxes and are vital to our nation's economy," said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. "If TPS is not renewed, this will create a massive socio-economic disruption and force thousands of people to leave their families behind. The answer is clear: we must extend TPS."

The letter was also signed by Reps. Amo, Bishop, Carson, Carter, Cherfilus-McCormick, Cleaver, Connolly, Davis, Danny, Escobar, Evans, García, Garcia, Goldman, Grijalva, Jackson, Johnson, Kamlager-Dove, Lee, Lee Carter, McIver, Meeks, Meng, Holmes Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressley, Quigley, Ramirez, Ruppersberger, Vargas, Veasey, Velázquez, Wasserman Schultz, Waters, Watson Coleman, Williams, and Wilson.

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