April, 25 2018, 12:00am EDT
Nepali New Yorkers Denounce Trump's End to TPS; Commemorate Earthquake
TPS recipients, community and immigrant advocates to hold vigil.
WOODSIDE, NEW YORK
Late last night, the Trump Administration ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepalis living in the U.S. This decision affects 8,950 people, 85% of whom live New York. The Department of Homeland Security has set a 12-month grace period; Nepali TPS holders could face deportation starting June 24th, 2019.
"Trump's move is truly spiteful towards Nepali Americans. After the devastating earthquake that literally ripped their home to pieces, thousands of Nepalis have successfully remade their lives in our New York, becoming a key piece of the fabric of our communities. America will not be greater or safer by forcing them to leave, tearing them out of our economy and sending them home to a still unstable country," said Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition.
On Wednesday, April 25th, 2018, affected individuals, immigrant advocates, and allies will hold a community vigil to commemorate the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015, and condemn the Trump administration's decision to terminate (TPS) for Nepal.
WHEN:WEDNESDAY April 25th, 2018 at 6:30PM.
WHERE: Frank D O'Connor Playground, 79-01 Broadway, Queens, NY 11373.
Rain location - Satya Narayan Mandir 75-15 Woodside Ave, Flushing, NY 11373.
WHO: Adhikaar, the New York Immigration Coalition, affected individuals.
WHAT: Vigil and speaking program in response to the impending decision on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepal.
Background
Temporary Protected Status is a designation afforded to nationals of countries experiencing humanitarian crisis such as violent conflict, environmental disasters, or epidemics that would prevent nationals from returning safely. The United States designated TPS for Nepali nationals after the 2015 7.8-magnitude earthquake that left 9,000 dead and 22,000 injured. Recently, from June to September 2017, Nepal experienced massive flooding and landslides due to heavy rainfall. Currently, 2.6 of Nepal's 2.8 million population are displaced.
As of today, there are an estimated 325,000 TPS recipients living in the United States, representing ten TPS-designated countries: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Over 30,000 TPS recipients reside in New York.
The New York Immigration Coalition aims to achieve a fairer and more just society that values the contributions of immigrants and extends opportunity to all. The NYIC promotes immigrants' full civic participation, fosters their leadership, and provides a unified voice and a vehicle for collective action for New York's diverse immigrant communities.
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