A man walks along the street near a collapsed house following Saturday’s earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal May 1, 2015. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar
In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal in April this year, the Obama Administration has decided to grant Temporary Protected Status to Nepalese nationals in the United States, U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice-Chair of the Democratic Caucus announced last week.
The announcement was jointly made by Crowley, and Grace Meng (D-Queens), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
The move protects citizens of Nepal from deportation or detainment so that they are not forced to return to dangerous and unsafe conditions that the earthquake caused in their country.
The decision comes after Crowley and Meng led dozens of Congress members in a letter urging Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Secretary of State John Kerry to grant TPS to Nepalese nationals.
“As the people of Nepal continue to mourn the lives lost and struggle to recover from this terrible tragedy, I’m proud our nation will continue its tradition of humanitarian support by granting TPS to Nepalis currently in our country,” Crowley said in a statement. “This is a critical step that will allow those in Queens and in communities across the country to remain here until the Nepali government is better suited to handle their return, thus helping Nepal’s government focus on their important recovery efforts.”
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the U.S. can provide TPS when conditions in a country prevent its citizens from returning safely such as natural disaster, civil war, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.
Meng said that his heart aches for all those impacted by tragedy in Nepal. “Allowing citizens of Nepal who are in Queens and throughout the nation to remain in the US until it is safe to return is the right and decent thing to do, and I thank Secretary Johnson and Secretary Kerry for being responsive to our request. As Nepal continues to recover, the US and international community must continue to assist the country with needed relief efforts.”
To qualify for TPS, applicants must have been continuously present in the US since June 24, 2015. TPS will be in place for 18 months, until December 24, 2016. Applicants must apply for this status by December 21, 2015.
Luna Ranjit, Executive Director of Adhikaar, a Queens-based non-profit working for the issues concerning the Nepali community, welcomed the initiative.
“The Nepali community in the US is relieved that we don’t have to worry about our visas. We can now focus on supporting our friends and families back home and contribute towards rebuilding our homeland. We would like to thank Congressman Crowley and Congresswoman Meng for visiting us and listening to our stories, and pushing for TPS for Nepal,” she said.
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