Building Back Together Executive Director Danielle Melfi Statement on Designation of Sudan and Extension of TPS for South Sudan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2022
PRESS CONTACT: [email protected]

BUILDING BACK TOGETHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIELLE MELFI STATEMENT ON DESIGNATION OF SUDAN AND EXTENSION OF TPS FOR SOUTH SUDAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Building Back Together Executive Director Danielle Melfi released the following statement following the announcement that the Biden-Harris Administration will designate Sudan and extend South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS):

“This decision, which protects the lives of current TPS holders, and extends protections to an additional 2,390 Sudanese refugees who have fled violence since the last redesignation in 2016, is an essential reminder of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to defending the rights of asylum seekers in the United States. As the ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan prevents millions of individuals  – particularly women and girls – from returning home, the United States will continue to ensure their safety and protection within our borders. 

“Since President Biden took office, he has consistently advocated for immigration policies that are fair, expand economic opportunity, and keep families together. This decision is in line with previous announcements that the Administration would designate TPS protections to those fleeing persecution or violence in Myanmar and Venezuela and extend existing protections for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.

“As President Biden emphasized in his State of the Union address last night, it is crucial that our nation’s immigration system reflects our fundamental American values: to ensure safety, justice, and opportunity, not only for the Sudanese and South Sudanese people, but for all those under Temporary Protected Status in our country.”

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