Unions Endorse Dream and Promise Act, Push for Swift Passage in Congress

Bill Would Provide Stable Futures for Our Members and a Stable Workforce for Our Industries

 

March 12 – Washington, DC

In response to the introduction of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act by Reps Roybal-Allard, Velazquez, and Clarke with 130+ co-sponsors, the Working Families United Coalition released the following statement:

 

The Dream and American Promise Act will provide stable futures for Dreamers and people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and a stable workforce for America’s industries.  

Passing permanent protections for Dreamers and TPS holders is in the best interest of the American people, American businesses, unions, and as equally important, for the people who wake up and go to work or school every day whose lives have been thrown into limbo by the cancellation of these programs. It should be a common sense solution for industries facing skilled labor shortages to make sure the TPS holders and Dreamers who have become trained professionals in their fields can continue their contributions instead of allowing them to be torn from their homes and their workplaces.

The economic cost of cancelling TPS would be in the billions in lost GDP, in turnover, lost Social Security contributions, and the human cost would be immeasurable. The United States does not want to see another family separation crisis.  

Our unions strongly endorse the Dream and Promise Act and urge Congress to pass it immediately.

Working Families United is a coalition of seven labor unions, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, UNITE HERE, the Ironworkers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,  the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Teamsters, and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), representing four million members fighting for immigrant justice.

 

WFU formed in 2017 in response to the pending crisis caused by President Trump’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for 400,000 immigrant workers and their 275,000 US citizen children.  Our members like Wilna Destin of UNITE HERE are part of the class-action lawsuit currently blocking the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Sudan, El Salvador, and Haiti. Donaldo Posadas of the Painters’ Union is a plaintiff in a separate case for Honduras and Nepal. Meanwhile the coalition urges Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act in the House and the Secure Act in the Senate to provide permanent protections and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders from all affected nations.

 

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Labor Unions Across Industries Endorse Permanent Protections for TPS Holders and Dreamers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 04, 2019 – Washington, DC
Today Working Families United, the AFL-CIO, and more than 30 national unions and labor institutions sent a letter to Congress expressing their broad support for legislation that makes the protections for TPS holders and dreamers permanent and places them on a path to citizenship. The letter urges legislators:

“As labor organizations representing millions of workers in the U.S., we urge you to renew Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations and pass legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives as soon as possible, but no later than the first 100 days of the 116th Congress, to provide permanent protection and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and individuals with TPS or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)….

…When TPS holders and Dreamers are at risk, all workers are more vulnerable to employer abuses.  However, when workers, including TPS holders and Dreamers, have legal status and rights, all workplaces benefit from higher wages, safer workplaces, and the right and ability to form and join a union.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTIwJTIwJTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkcml2ZS5nb29nbGUuY29tJTJGZmlsZSUyRmQlMkYxQkpaaW45dG1TMVJfbU5FUkFuT1Q1M043X2RwNVhMZzMlMkZwcmV2aWV3JTIyJTIwc3R5bGUlM0QlMjJ3aWR0aCUzQTEwMCUyNSUzQiUyMGhlaWdodCUzQTQwMHB4JTNCJTIyJTIwZnJhbWVib3JkZXIlM0QlMjIwJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNFJTBBJTBB[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1551638943879{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;}”]

Labor leaders from Working Families United and the AFL-CIO are available upon request. Representatives issued the following statements:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1551638935105{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1551639252847{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_text]“For the labor movement, these programs have been vital in ensuring that thousands of working people have rights on the job and the freedom to negotiate together for fair pay and working conditions. It is long past due that all members of Congress work together to immediately pass immigration legislation that will give Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients a pathway to citizenship.”   
– AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

 

“Immigrant workers are the backbone of the American hospitality industry, and the thousands of UNITE HERE workers on TPS and DACA are irreplaceable members of their families, communities, and workforces all across the country. UNITE HERE is a long time leader in the labor movement for immigrant justice, and we are proud to join with the rest of the American labor movement today in backing this urgently needed legislation. Neither our industry nor our country could sustain losing the tremendous value and strength brought to both by dedicated, long term TPS and DACA employees.”

– International President of UNITE HERE D. Taylor

 

“Tens of thousands of LIUNA members impacted by TPS and DACA, who literally build America – contributing to the economy and working on vital construction projects across the nation – need Congress to act immediately on legislation that provides a permanent fix for workers.” – LIUNA General President Terry O’Sullivan

 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1551638973536{padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]“For humanitarian and economic reasons, this legislation must pass. Dreamers, TPS and DED recipients have, for decades, done the work that that American industries and our local economies rely on, and they deserve to stay. Many TPS recipients are members of our union, and I know that they work hard, pay their taxes and play by the rules. Deportation back to their homeland country to face violence or disaster conditions would shatter their orderly lives and our economy. Members of Congress must stand up to President Trump’s hateful, racist objections and show that we are a welcoming country, just as it has been for millions of immigrants from all corners of the world who have helped the United States become an economic engine.”

– Painters Union (IUPAT) General President Ken Rigmaiden

 

“Abruptly ending TPS status is inhumane and bad economic policy. TPS holders pay taxes, own homes, are parents to some 300,000 children, and are vital workers in many American industries. Our lawmakers must come together to find a solution.”

– International Bricklayers General President James Boland

 

“Our country’s immigration system is broken and the government’s inability to fix it is continuing to cause uncertainty for families across the country. This bill is an important step toward providing stability for so many who have already passed background checks, pay taxes, go to school, and work hard every day to build a better America. They work side by side with us, live in our communities, and are dedicated members of our union family and countless others. We can and must do better.”

– UFCW International Secretary-Treasurer Esther López[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1551639044037{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Working Families United is a coalition of seven labor unions, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, UNITE HERE, the Ironworkers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,  the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Teamsters, and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), representing four million members fighting for immigrant justice.

 

WFU formed in 2017 in response to the pending crisis caused by President Trump’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for 400,000 immigrant workers and their 275,000 US citizen children.  Our members like Wilna Destin of UNITE HERE are part of the class-action lawsuit currently blocking the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Sudan, El Salvador, and Haiti. Donaldo Posadas of the Painters’ Union is a plaintiff in a separate case for Honduras and Nepal. Meanwhile the coalition urges Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act in the House and the Secure Act in the Senate to provide permanent protections and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders from all affected nations.

 

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Union Members to Congress: Permanent Protections for TPS is a Labor Issue

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Union members from the Working Families United coalition joined the National TPS Alliance’s convergence in Washington, DC to push for permanent protections for TPS holders and dreamers.
“I’m here today because if I lose my TPS, my family and I will lose everything,” explained Wilna Destin of UNITE HERE Local 737 in Orlando. “This isn’t a political issue. It’s not about political parties. Today, my union workers and I met with our Florida Congressional Representatives, Republicans and Democrats… Losing TPS will destroy the economy of many states including mine and it will destroy American families. Ending TPS will cause family separation by tearing us from our American children so we are here today. We are here to fight.”
The delegations from the seven unions visited more than 100 offices of Representatives and Senators in the Capitol. They met with Congress members and their staff telling their stories and asking them to make TPS and DACA a priority in the new Congress. While a federal injunction has frozen Trump’s cuts for four countries, others such as Nepal are nearing their deadline.

Addressing Nepal and Honduras, Donaldo Posadas, a member of the Painters’ Union (IUPAT DC21) with TPS from Honduras, announced at the gathering news from the day before.

“Yesterday we announced a lawsuit not just for myself and my daughter but for everyone from Honduras and Nepal who would be hurt by our TPS being taken away. Forcing our children to choose between the life they have here or a country they don’t know is unfair. Sending all of us to danger and instability is unjust. I’m proud to have been a union painter for two decades in this country and it does not feel right to see all of that just cut away. Now Congress has the ability to give us permanent protection and I am here to ask them to do it.”

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Members with TPS said that they want permanent residency for dreamers and those from TPS designated countries. Being in limbo every other year and now with the unknown of what will happen is too much.

 

Many TPS holders have been in the United States for more than 20 years. Cutting the program is putting the lives of more than 400,000 TPS holders with 275,000 US citizen children into limbo. In addition, it is disrupting the industries they long have served, especially construction, restaurants, hospitality, health care, retail, and food production.If Congress allows TPS terminations, the mass layoffs that would follow would cost employers $967 million in immediate turnover costs and a loss of an estimated $164 billion in US GDP. Funding mass deportation of TPS recipients would cost taxpayers an additional $3 billion dollars.

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TPS Holders from Honduras and Nepal Sue Trump Administration to Prevent Unlawful Deportation of 100,000 People

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TPS Terminations, Motivated by Racism, Would Tear Families Apart

 

San Francisco – Six adults with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and two U.S. citizen children of TPS holders filed a class-action lawsuit today seeking to stop the unlawful termination of TPS for over 100,000 TPS holders from Honduras and Nepal and prevent the separation of tens of thousands of U.S. citizen children from their TPS-holder parents. The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU Foundation of Southern California and ACLU Foundation of Northern California in the release, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, and Sidley Austin. [Read the filing here]

 

In October of 2018, the Court enjoined the termination of TPS for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador, finding substantial evidence that the terminations were motivated by racism and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. Plaintiffs in Bhattarai v. Nielsen allege that the terminations of TPS for Honduras and Nepal suffer from the same legal flaws and should be set aside. Plaintiffs also allege that the terminations are unconstitutional because they require the U.S. citizen children of TPS holders to choose between their country and their family.

 

Plaintiff Keshav Raj Bhattarai, a member of Adhikaar and Nepali TPS holder shares, “I am proud to be a part of this lawsuit, for all the other Nepali TPS holders like me. With TPS I have been able to build a new life here with my family and I have a found a stable job. When I see so many people’s lives at risk in losing TPS, I am troubled to see that this country would harm its hardworking workers and people. I wish to continue working to support this country, and also continue supporting the rebuilding of Nepal, which is still recovering from the earthquake.”

 

The complaint filed today alleges that, in terminating TPS for Honduras and Nepal, political appointees in the Department of Homeland Security deliberately ignored recommendations from U.S. Ambassadors and evidence of conditions on the ground. Instead, they predetermined that TPS must be terminated to further the President’s “America First” policy, which seeks to exclude non-white, non-European immigrants. The complaint recites a litany of racist statements made by President Trump in reference to Latin American and South Asian countries and immigrants, including referring to immigrants as snakes and animals, mispronouncing Nepal as “nipple,” and faking an Indian accent in imitation of Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi.

 

Plaintiff Donaldo Posadas Caceres, a member of the Painters’ Union (IUPAT DC21) with TPS from Honduras explains, “I’m taking part in this lawsuit not just for myself and my daughter but for everyone who would be hurt by our TPS being taken away. Forcing our children to choose between the life they have here or a country they don’t know is unfair. Sending all of us to danger and instability is unjust. I’m proud to have been a union painter for two decades in this country and it does not feel right to see all of that just cut away.”

 

Jessica Bansal, NDLON’s Co-Legal Director, said: “The Trump Administration is illegally trying to gut the humanitarian TPS program, but TPS holders are fighting back. They have already won a temporary reprieve for hundreds of thousands of TPS holders. With today’s filing, they seek to protect tens of thousands more.”

 

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are members of diverse organizations fighting to defend TPS in the courts and in Congress, including Adhikaar, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), AND the National TPS Alliance.

 

Jenny Zhao, Staff Attorney at Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, said: “The Trump Administration’s plan to end TPS for Honduras and Nepal must be stopped before it causes immeasurable harm to TPS holders, their families, and their communities.”

 

Minju Cho, Staff Attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles said: “TPS holders are valued members of our communities. They are parents to tens and thousands of U.S. citizen children. TPS is vital to people’s ability to work and provide for themselves and their families. We are proud to stand alongside these communities in their fight against the Trump administration’s unconstitutional attempt to take TPS away.”

 

Ahilan Arulanantham, Senior Counsel at the ACLU of Southern California, said: “We are proud to represent these courageous U.S. citizen children and their parents who held Temporary Protected Status before the Trump Administration unlawfully stripped it away. They ask only that our government respect their due process rights. We hope the Court will uphold the rule of law and grant them the protection they deserve.”

 

Read the complaint here.

 

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होन्डुरस र नेपालका टीपीएस् प्राप्त गरेका ब्यक्तिहरूले १००,००० मानिसहरूको गैरन्यायिक निस्कासन रोक्नका लागि ट्रम्प प्रशासनका विरूद्ध मुद्दा दायर

टीपीएस् सुविधाको कटैाति, जातिवादी सोचबाट अभिप्रेरित, यसले परिवारहरूलाइ खलबल्याउनेछ

सान फ्रान्सिस्को– होन्डुरस र नेपालका गरी १००,००० जना सबै टीपीएस् प्राप्त ब्यक्तिहरूको गैरकानुनी तरीकाले टीपीएस् खारेज गर्न लागेको र टीपीएस पाएकाहरूबाट जन्मेका दशैां हजार अमेरिकन बालबालिकाहरूलाइ उनीहरूको परिवारबाट छुट्याउनबाट रोक्नका लागि अस्थायी संरक्षणको हैसियत (टीपीएस्) पाएका ६ जना वयस्क र उनीहरूबाट जन्मेका २ जना अमेरिकन नागरिक बच्चाहरूले अाज संयुक्त रूपमा क्लास एक्सनको मुद्दा दायर गरेका छन् । यो मुद्दा क्यालिफोर्निया राज्यको नर्दन डिस्ट्रिक्टमा रहेको संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिकाको जिल्ला अदालतमा दायर गरिएको छ । यो मुद्दाका पक्षहरूलाइ दक्षिणी क्यालिफोर्नियामा रहेको एसीएलयू, एसियन अमेरिकन्स एडभान्सिंग जस्टिस–एसियन ल ककस, एसियन अमेरिकन्स एडभान्सिंग जस्टिस् – लस एन्जेलस्, द नेसनल डे लेवोरर अर्गनाइजिंग नेटवर्क, र सिड्ले अस्टिन जस्ता संस्थाहरूले प्रतिनिधित्व गरेका छन् । 

अक्टुवर २०१८ मा सुडान, निकारागुवा, हैटी र एल साल्भाडोरलाइ दिएको टीपीएस् सुविधा हटाइएकोमा अदालतले त्यसलाइ रोकिदियो । जातिगत अाधारमा प्रेरित भएर टीपीएस् हटाइएको र सो गर्दा प्रशासनिक कार्यविधि ऎन (एडमिनिस्ट्रेटिभ प्रोसिजर एक्ट) उल्लंघन भएको कुराको सारभूत किसिमको प्रमाण अदालतले पायो । यिनै माथिका देशका हकमा प्रयोग भएका कमजोर कानुनका अाधारमा होन्डुरस र नेपालको टीपीएस् पनि खारेज गर्दा अन्याय हुने भएकोले यस्ता कानुनलाइ अाधार मानेर टीपीएस् खारेज गर्नुहुँदैन भनेर यो ”भट्टराइ विरूद्ध नेल्सन ” भएको मुद्दामा वादीहरूले अारोप लगाएका छन् । यसरी टीपीएस् खारेज गर्नाले टीपीएस् पाएकाहरूबाट जन्मिएका अमेरिकन नागरिक बच्चाहरूलाइ अाफ्नो देश वा अाफ्ना बाबुअामा मध्ये एक रोज्नु पर्ने हुन्छ जुन कुरा संविधान विपरीत हुन जान्छ भनेर वादीहरूले यो मुद्दमा थप अारोप लगाएका छन्।

अधिकार संस्थाका सदस्य तथा टीपीएस् पाएका नेपाली वादी केशवराज भट्टराइ भन्छन्,” म जस्ता टीपीएस् भएका अन्य नेपाली समेतका लागि गरिएको यो मुद्दामा सहभागी हुन पाउँदा म ज्यादै गैारव महशुस गरेको छु । टीपीएस् पाएर मैले भरपर्दो काम पाएको छु र  मेरो परिवारका साथ नयाँ जीवन जीउन सक्षम भएको छु । टीपीएस् हट्दाको अवस्थामा धेरै मानिसको जीवन जोखिममा पर्न जाने अनि कडा परिश्रम गर्ने कामदारहरू र अन्य मानिसहरूलाइ यो देशले हानी पुर्याउन सक्नेछ भन्ने कुरा जब मैले देख्छु अनि मलाइ पीडा हुन्छ । यो देशलाइ मद्दत गर्नका लागि म काम गरिरहन चाहन्छु साथसाथै विगतको भूकम्पबाट अहिले पनि तंग्रिदै गरेको नेपालको पुननिर्माणमा पनि सहयोग गरिरहन चाहन्छु ।”

अाज दायर गरिएको उजुरीमा के अारोप लगाइएको छ भने डिपार्टमेन्ट अफ् होमल्याण्ड सेक्युरिटीमा राजनीतिक नियुक्ति पाएर काम गरिरहेका ब्यक्तिहरूले अमेरकाका राजदूतहरूले दिएका सुझावहरू र सम्बन्धित देशको वास्तविक यथार्थलाइ जानाजान नजरअन्दाज गरेर होन्डुरस र नेपालको टीपीएस् खारेज गरे । उनीहरूले राष्ट्रपति ट्रम्पको “पहिले अमेरिका” भन्ने नीतिलाइ पहिला अगाडि सारेर टीपीएस् खारेज हुनै पर्छ भन्ने सोचाइ लिए । यो नीतिले सेता जाति नभएका (नन्–ह्वाइट्स्) र गैर युरोपीयन मूलका अाप्रवासीहरूलाइ निकाला गर्ने कुरा गर्छ । ल्याटिन अमेरिकन र दक्षिण एसियाका देशहरू र त्यहाँबाट अाएका अाप्रवासीहरूका विरूद्ध राष्ट्रपति ट्रम्पका बारम्बारका जातिबादी भनाइहरूलाइ पनि यो उजुरीमा राखिएको छ । राष्ट्रपति ट्रम्पले उनीहरूलाइ सर्पहरू र जनावरहरू भनेको, नेपाल देशको नामलाइ “निप्पल” भनेको अनि भारतीय प्रधानमन्त्रीको बोल्ने शैलीलाइ नक्कल गरेर ठट्टा गरेको जस्ता कुराहरू यो उजुरीमा छन् ।

पेन्टर्स युनियन (IUPAT DC21) संस्थाका सदस्य तथा टीपीएस् पाएका होन्डुरसका  वादी डोनाल्डो पोसाडास् सेसेरेस् भन्छन्,” म यो मुद्दामा मेरी छोरी र मेरा लागि मात्र भनेर सहभागी भएको हैन तर टीपीएस् हटाइँदा असर पर्न सक्ने प्रत्येकका लागि भनेर सहभागी भएको हुँ । हाम्रा बच्चाहरूलाइ यहाँको जीवन वा उनीहरूले चिन्दै नचिनेको ठाउँको जीवन छान्न बाध्य पारिने कुरा पक्षपातपूर्ण छ । हामी सबै जनालाइ खतरापूर्ण अनि अस्थिरतामा पठाउनु अन्यायपूर्ण हुन्छ । विगत दुइ दशकदेखि यो देशको युनियन पेन्टरमा लगातार रहन पाउनुमा म गर्व गर्छु अनि यो सबै कुरा खोसिएको देख्दा मैले राम्रो मान्दिनँ ।”

एनडीएलअोएन (NDLON) का सह–लिगल डाइरेक्टर जेसिका वंशलले भन्नुभयो,” मानवीय हिसावमा दिइने टीपीएस् कार्यक्रमलाइ ट्रम्प प्रशासनले गैरकानुनी हिसावले हटाउन खोजिरहेको छ तर कुरा के छ भने टीपीएस् पाएकाहरू यस्तो गैरकानुनी काम हुन नदिनका लागि लडिरहेका छन् । उनीहरूले यसभन्दा अघि पनि टीपीएस् पाएका हजारैां मानिसहरूलाइ अस्थायी रूपमै भए पनि निकाला गर्ने काम रोक्न सफल भए । अाजको उजुरी मार्फत पनि हजारैां संख्याका मानिसहरलाइ संरक्षण गर्न खोजेका छन् ।”

विभिन्न संस्थाहरूमा रहेर टीपीएसलाइ जोगाउन अदालतदेखि कंग्रेससम्म लडिरहेका सदस्यहरू अाजको मुद्दाका वादी पक्षहरू हुन् । यी संस्थाहरूमा अधिकार, द इन्टरनेशनल युनियन अफ् पेन्टर्स एन्ड एलाइड ट्रेड्स (IUPAT), नेशनल टीपीएस् एलाइन्स रहेका छन् ।

एडभान्सिंग जस्टिस–एसियन ल ककसका स्टाफ एटर्नी जेनी झावले भनिन्, “टीपीएस् पाएका होन्डुरस र नेपालका ब्यक्तिहरू, उनीहरूका परिवारजनहरू र समुदायलाइ अकल्पनीय हानी पुर्याउनु अगावै दिइएको टीपीएस् रोक्ने ट्रम्प प्रशासनको योजनालाइ रोक्नै पर्छ ।”

एसियन अमेरिकन्स एडभान्सिंग जस्टिस्–लस एन्जेलसकी वकील मिन्जु चोले भनिन्, “टीपीएस् पाएकाहरू समुदायका लागि महत्वपूर्ण सदस्यहरू हुन् । उनीहरू हजारैां अमेरिकन बच्चाहरूका बाबुअामाहरू हुन् । अाफ्नो परिवार र परिवारका सदस्यहरूलाइ लालनपालन गर्नका लागि काम गर्न सक्षम हुन टीपीएस् पाउनु ज्यादै महत्वपूर्ण कुरा हो । टीपीएस् हटाउने ट्रम्प प्रशासनको असंवैधानिक प्रयासका विरूद्ध कानुनी लडाइ लडिरहेका समुदायका पक्षमा उभिन पाउँदा हामी गैारवान्वित भएका छैां ।

एसीएलयू (ACLU) अफ सदर्न क्यालिफोर्नियाका सिनियर काउन्सेल अहिलान अारूलानाथमले भन्नुभयो,” ट्रम्प प्रशासनले गैरकानुनी हिसाबले टीपीएस् लाइ छिन्नु भन्दा अगाडि नै यी साहासी अमेरिकन नागरिक बालबच्चा र उनीहरूका बाबुअामालाइ प्रतिनिधित्व गर्न पाउँदा हामीलाइ गर्व लागेको छ । यी बच्चाहरूले कानुनको उचित प्रक्रिया अपनाउनु पर्ने अधिकारलाइ अाफ्नो सरकारले सम्मान मात्र गरोस् भनेर भनेका छन् । अदालतले कानुनको शासनलाइ कायम राख्नेछ साथै उनीहरूले पाउने यथोचित संरक्षण प्रदान गर्नेछ ।“

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Español” tab_id=”1549915551272-2-5″][vc_column_text]Beneficiarios del TPS de Honduras y Nepal demandan a la administración Trump para prevenir la injusta deportación de 100,000 personas

Las terminaciones de TPS, motivadas por el racismo, destruiría familias

 

San Francisco, CA – Seis adultos con estatus de protección temporal (TPS, por sus siglas en inglés) y dos jóvenes ciudadanos estadounidenses cuyos padres son beneficiarios del TPS, presentaron hoy una demanda colectiva en busca de detener la terminación ilegal de TPS para más de 100,000 TPSianos de Honduras y Nepal. La demanda impediría la separación de decenas de miles de familias con niños ciudadanos estadounidenses. El litigio fue presentado en el tribunal de distrito de los Estados Unidos del distrito norte de California. Los demandantes están representados por la ACLU del sur de California, ACLU del norte de California, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, la Red Nacional de Jornaleros (NDLON) y Sidley Austin.

 

En octubre de 2018, la corte ordenó detener la terminación del TPS para Sudán, Nicaragua, Haití y El Salvador, tras encontrar evidencia sustancial de que las terminaciones fueron motivadas por el racismo y violaba la ley de procedimiento administrativo. Los demandantes en Bhattarai v. Nielsen alegan que las terminaciones de TPS para Honduras y Nepal poseen las mismas fallas legales y deben ser anuladas. Los demandantes también alegan que las terminaciones son inconstitucionales, porque requieren que los hijos ciudadanos estadounidenses de personas con TPS elijan entre su país y su familia.  

 

Keshav Raj Bhattarai, uno de los principales demandantes, miembro de Adhikaar y beneficiario del TPS de Nepal dijo, “Me enorgullece ser parte de esta demanda, en favor de todos los titulares de TPS de Nepal como yo. Con TPS, he podido construir una nueva vida aquí con mi familia. Juntos hemos encontrado un trabajo estable. Cuando veo la vida de tantas personas en riesgo de perder el TPS, me preocupa ver que este país dañaría a tantas personas trabajadoras. Deseo continuar luchando para apoyar a este país, y también continuar apoyando la reconstrucción de Nepal, que todavía se está recuperando del terremoto “.


La queja presentada hoy alega que, al terminar el TPS para Honduras y Nepal, las personas designadas por razones políticas en el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional ignoraron deliberadamente las recomendaciones de los Embajadores de los Estados Unidos y la evidencia de las condiciones en los países de los beneficiarios. En cambio, predeterminaron que el TPS debía terminarse para promover la política de “América Primero” del Presidente, la cual busca expulsar a los inmigrantes no blancos y no europeos. La queja incluye las declaraciones racistas hechas por el presidente Trump en referencia a los países e inmigrantes de América Latina y el sur de Asia, incluyendo el referirse a los inmigrantes como serpientes y animales, pronunciar erróneamente a Nepal como “pezón” y fingir un acento hindi para burlarse del Primer Ministro  de India, Narendra Modi.

 

Donaldo Posadas Caceres, demandante y miembro del sindicato de pintores (IUPAT DC21) con TPS de Honduras explica: “Estoy participando en esta demanda, no solo para mí y mi hija, sino para todos los que se verían perjudicados por la eliminación del TPS de Honduras. Forzar a nuestros hijos a elegir entre la vida que tienen aquí o un país que no conocen es injusto. Enviarnos a todos al peligro y la inestabilidad es cruel. Me enorgullece haber sido un pintor sindicalista durante dos décadas en este país y el ahora ver que todo se puede acabar no se siente bien”.

 

Jessica Bansal, Co-Director Legal de NDLON, dijo: “La Administración Trump está intentando ilegalmente destruir el programa humanitario TPS, pero los titulares de TPS están contraatacando. Ya han ganado un indulto temporal para cientos de miles de titulares de TPS. Con la querella presentada el día de hoy, buscan proteger a decenas de miles más “.

 

Los demandantes de este litigio son miembros de diversas organizaciones que luchan para defender el TPS en los tribunales y en el Congreso, incluyendo Adhikaar, la Unión Internacional de Pintores y Oficios Afines (IUPAT), y la Alianza Nacional TPS.

 

Jenny Zhao, abogado de Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus dijo: “El plan de la Administración Trump para poner fin al TPS para Honduras y Nepal debe detenerse antes de que cause un daño inconmensurable a los titulares del TPS, sus familias y sus comunidades”.

 

Minju Cho, abogado del personal de Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles dijo: “Los titulares de TPS son miembros valiosos de nuestras comunidades. Son padres de decenas y miles de niños ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos. El TPS es vital para que estas personas puedan trabajar y mantenerse a sí mismas y a sus familias. Estamos orgullosos de apoyar a estas comunidades en su lucha contra el intento inconstitucional de la administración Trump de eliminar el TPS “.

 

Ahilan Arulanantham, abogado principal de la ACLU del sur de California dijo: “Estamos orgullosos de representar a estos valientes niños ciudadanos de los EE. UU. Y a sus padres que tenían el estatus de protección temporal antes de que la Administración de Trump la terminara ilegalmente. Ellos solo piden que nuestro gobierno respete sus derechos al debido proceso. Esperamos que la Corte respete el estado de derecho y les otorgue la protección que merecen “.

 

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For more documents related to the lawsuit visit: 
https://www.nationaltpsalliance.org/tps-lawsuit/government-documents-tell-all-about-trump-administration-and-tps

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Working Families United Calls on Trump to Reopen Government, Work with Congress to Find a Permanent Solution for Dreamers and Workers with TPS

 

In reaction to Trump’s speech about his shutdown and immigration this afternoon, Working Families United issued the following:

“The President should end his shutdown and reopen the government so that he is not forcing our government workers to work without pay.  Whether it’s immigration or our government, working people should never be treated as bargaining chips.

The instability in the lives of Dreamers and workers with TPS and the negative impact on the economy are caused by the lawsuit against DACA from governors in his own Party and his racially motivated decision to terminate TPS. If he is now interested in resolving it, he should work with Congress to find a permanent solution for Dreamers and TPS immediately.”

Working Families United is a coalition of labor unions, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, UNITE HERE, the Ironworkers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,  the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Teamsters, and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) seeking immigrant worker justice. Together, we represent 4 million U.S. workers.

Senators’ TPS Proposal for Venezuelans Shows Necessity & Urgency to Save TPS

Working Families United Urges Senators to Support the SECURE Act

In reaction to the introduction of the Venezuela Temporary Protected Status and Asylum Assistance Act of 2018 by Senators Leahy, Menendez, Durbin, and Rubio proposing to extend TPS to eligible Venezuelans, Working Families United issued the following:

“The bipartisan proposal by the Senators to extend Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelans who cannot safely return to their country given current conditions shows the necessity of the TPS program as a whole. It upholds the values that have made it a tradition of our country to offer safety to those whose lives are threatened and whose return is impossible.  

We urge all Senators who support TPS for Venezuela to also support the SECURE Act (S. 2192). The SECURE Act is the solution that fixes the TPS program for current participants and continues to ensure the safety of people from all the countries experiencing dangers and uncertainty similar to Venezuela.”

 

Working Families United is a coalition of labor unions seeking immigrant worker justice. Together, we represent 4 million U.S. workers.
More can be found at workingfamiliesunited.org

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Sign Up for the February Mobilization for TPS in DC

Coalition of Labor Unions Calls on New Congress to Act, Pledges to Defend Immigrant and Worker Rights, Fix DACA & TPS

In the wake of the historic 2018 midterm elections, Working Families United (WFU) released the following statement:

With the elections over, it is up to Congress to govern in the best interest all the American people.

We will be better off as a country when immigrants are given a pathway to citizenship instead of deeper division and threats of deportation.

Working Families United calls on Congress to immediately pass relief for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) as well as workers with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).  

As unions that represent four million members, we pledge to challenge any program that erodes the rights of workers, to continue to push to make the protections for workers with TPS and DACA permanent, and defend against any further attacks on our immigrant brothers and sisters.  

Working Families United is a coalition of seven labor unions, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, UNITE HERE, the Ironworkers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,  the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Teamsters, and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), representing four million members fighting for immigrant justice. WFU formed in 2017 in response to the pending crisis caused by President Trump’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for 300,000 immigrant workers.  While the termination for Nicaragua, Sudan, El Salvador, and Haiti is currently blocked by a temporary injunction in the courts, the coalition continues to urge Congress to pass legislation to make the protections permanent for workers with TPS from all affected nations.

 

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BREAKING: Northern District of California Judge Grants Injunction on Termination of TPS

 

Unions Representing 3.5 Million Members Applaud Ruling,
Call on Congress to Offer Permanent Protections

 

In reaction to the news that a federal judge issued an injunction in the class action lawsuit filed by workers with TPS and their US citizen children to block the Trump administration’s plan to terminate TPS for Sudan, Haiti, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, Working Families United issued the following:

 

The hundreds of thousands of workers with TPS who build our cities and keep them running deserve the security of knowing the lives they’ve built in the US are safe. This shows that Trump’s move to terminate TPS was based in his racial motivations and not in any law or consideration of safety.  

With the suit still in court, Congress must act to create a pathway to legal residency and make the protections permanent.

We won’t allow the Trump administration to strip away our members or strip away their rights. An attack on workers with TPS is an attack on unions.  We will keep organizing until we see action in every branch of government to protect workers and union members with TPS.  

 

TPS recipients in search of support or additional information on their status can connect with the coalition via facebook.com/wfucoalition or at its website workingfamiliesunited.org.

The coalition is collecting signatures in support of legislation to make protections permanent at workingfamiliesunited.org

Working Families United is a coalition of six unions representing 3.5 million workers seeking immigrant justice. Members include UNITE HERE, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Ironworkers, Bricklayers, United Food and Commercial Workers, Teamsters

 

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As White House Cancels TPS Protections for Natural Disaster Survivors from Honduras, Working Families United Say, “Enough is Enough,” Demand Congress Act to Prevent Mass Deportations

WASHINGTON (May 4) — Working Families United, a coalition that represents more than two million union workers, issued the following statement on today’s White House decision to end TPS protections for Honduran nationals:

“We are outraged by the Trump administration’s decision to cancel TPS protections for 60,000 hardworking survivors of natural disaster from Honduras. By cancel protections for men and women who pay taxes, have undergone thorough background checks, are experienced, often skilled workers, and who contribute to our country every day, the White House is throwing the future of these families, their workplaces and communities, and our economy into turmoil.

In the span of just nine months–against our economic and security interests, and against our nation’s values–Trump’s DHS has cancelled protections for hardworking families from six countries. In September, Trump’s DHS cancelled TPS protections for Sudan, where civil war has displaced two million people; in November, for Haiti whose people continue to rebuild following natural disaster after natural disaster. In January, TPs was canceled for Nicaragua and El Salvador. Last month, it was Nepal, which is still rebuilding critical infrastructure after devastating earthquakes. And today, it is Honduras.”

“TPS holders from Honduras face grave danger if forced to return. The country continues to struggle with epidemics of dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses and food insecurity, following Hurricane Mitch, subsequent tropical storms and a devastating drought. These dangers are compounded by riots following last year’s contested Presidential elections; at least 31 Hondurans have been killed in the unrest since last December.

“The message is clear: The Trump White House will use any and every cruel, senseless tactic to attack legal immigration and destabilize hardworking communities across the country. Today, we say enough is enough..

“We will not turn our backs on our coworkers, neighbors and family members who contribute to this country thanks to TPS. We will continue to stand with them. Congress must act to create a pathway to permanent status for all TPS holders.”

Contact: Anna Oman, [email protected], 301-979-5899