January, 08 2020, 11:00pm EDT
Yemen TPS Decision Arbitrarily Leaves Some Yemeni in Harm's Way But Not Others
The International Rescue Committee responds to the U.S. Administration's announcement that it will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen without redesignation. This decision protects approximately 1,500 Yemeni TPS holders for another 18 months. At the same time, this decision arbitrarily excludes from protection as many as 3,000 Yemeni citizens arriving in the United States after January 2017 despite the fact that Yemen remains unsafe for return. Yemen is currently an active war zone and the location of the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.
WASHINGTON
The International Rescue Committee responds to the U.S. Administration's announcement that it will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen without redesignation. This decision protects approximately 1,500 Yemeni TPS holders for another 18 months. At the same time, this decision arbitrarily excludes from protection as many as 3,000 Yemeni citizens arriving in the United States after January 2017 despite the fact that Yemen remains unsafe for return. Yemen is currently an active war zone and the location of the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.
"The situation here in Yemen continues to get worse with no end in sight," said IRC Yemen Country Director Frank Mc Manus. "The people of Yemen need humanitarian relief now. Current humanitarian access is neither efficient nor effective. As recent as September a high level UN report detailed ongoing potential war crimes in Yemen, including arbitrary killings of civilians, rape, torture, the use of child soldiers and deliberately denying food in a country facing famine. The US must extend TPS protection to all Yemenis there - Deliberately subjecting more innocent lives to endure the conditions they would face in Yemen is unjustifiable, and adds to the increasing doubt over American humanitarian leadership."
More than four years since the outbreak of war, Yemen continues to be home to the largest humanitarian crisis in the world with 80 percent of the country's population in need of assistance. Warring sides indiscriminately target civilians and civilian infrastructure and a cholera outbreak has killed thousands. Currently 60 percent of civilians are facing food insecurity with 10 million on the brink of starvation.
Since October 1, 2017, the US has accepted only five Yemeni refugees.
The IRC has been a monitor and major provider of humanitarian assistance in the country since 2012, continuing to deliver lifesaving services. Each week, the IRC delivers health services for 10,000 individuals, rehabilitates water points for access to clean water, offers nutrition assistance and treatment to 500 children, provides cash transfers and vouchers for food to 5,000 families, and supports 250 women in safe spaces.
The IRC urges the Administration to ensure that all Yemenis have access to protection and to reconsider its decision and re-designate TPS for Yemen. We continue to call on Congress to enact a permanent solution for those who are left behind by this and previous TPS decisions.
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.
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One week later, on Tuesday, Mamdani both solidified his win thanks to the release of the election's ranked choice voting results and unveiled a new video highlighting factors that in his view were key to his campaign's success. Mamdani credits his relentless focus on affordability and a commitment to reaching all New York City voters, including those who have previously voted for U.S. President Donald Trump, are inconsistent primary voters, or who speak languages besides English.
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On Tuesday, New York City's Board of Elections announced the ranked-choice voting results from the June 24 primary, underscoring Mamdani's decisive victory. Mamdani secured 56% of the vote compared to Cuomo's 44%. All other candidates' votes were reallocated to Mamdani and Cuomo in the third round of voting. All told, some 545,000 New Yorkers ranked Mamdani on their ballots.
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Today, over 130 NGOs have called for the restoration of unified, UN-led aid coordination and distribution in #Gaza based on international humanitarian law, inclusive of UNRWA.👉 www.oxfam.org/en/press-rel...@oxfaminternational.bsky.social @nrc-global.bsky.social @savechildrenintl.bsky.social
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— UNRWA (@unrwa.org) July 1, 2025 at 7:53 AM
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