The Pew Research Center recently released a report, revealing that the number of foreign nationals living in the U.S. with a “temporary protected status” (TPS) has more than doubled, given the Biden administration’s expansion of the program.
The center determined that nearly 1.2 million individuals are either eligible or receiving TPS, accounting for 5.5% of all illegal immigrants in the U.S.
🚨 President Joe Biden has helped balloon the number of foreign nationals living in the United States who are eligible or receiving Temporary Protected Status (TPS), making them ineligible for deportation, to nearly 1.2 million.
Analysis from the Pew Research Center reveals that… pic.twitter.com/noTJbbRt4r
— The Dibster (@richarddibX) April 8, 2024
Under the program, foreign nationals from multiple countries who are deemed unsafe to return to over reasons such as terrorism, political conditions, violence, economic concerns or natural disasters, are allowed to live and work in America for 18 months. Those who wish to become permanent residents in America or citizens must follow the proper avenues like everyone else.
Although former President Donald Trump tried to nix the program during his tenure, Biden has increased the number of eligible countries to 16, according to the Post Millennial.
The outlet pointed out that the program initially included El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Since 2021, the Biden administration added Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Ukraine and Venezuela to the list.
Since being added to the list, the number of Venezuelan nationals taking advantage of the program has increased to nearly 500,000, with several high-profile crimes being carried out by such individuals, including the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.
Beneficiaries of TPS are living in all 50 U.S. states, with the largest concentrations of such individuals found in places like New York, Texas, California and Florida.
Those applying for TPS must prove that they have lived in America since fleeing their home countries and pass a criminal record check. Individuals who have not been convicted of terrorism, felonies or more than one misdemeanor in the U.S. are eligible.
The Roll Call pointed out that the program allows Biden to circumvent Congress and unilaterally decide which countries should be included in the list. The bill was passed by the Buh Administration in 1990.
Since Republicans control the House, advocates of TPS are pushing Biden to further expand the program.
“He has the power and the legal authority to expand TPS,” a recipient of the program from Massachusetts, José Palma, said.
