May 6, 2019
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16 Governors, 20 Attorneys Generals, nearly 100 Mayors, over 250 State Legislators, and nearly 100 Local Elected Officials Support Legislative Solutions for Immigrants Living in Limbo
Carson City, NV – Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a coalition of more than 500 state and local elected officials urging Congress to pass permanent protection and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. State and local elected officials across the country signed a bipartisan statement to Congress in the wake of the Trump Administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs.
In their statement, the coalition discusses how the Trump Administration’s decision to end these programs impacts millions of individuals deprived of their rights to live their normal lives. Nevada is home to more than 4,000 TPS holders, and Dreamers and TPS holders are deeply rooted in communities across America. The average DACA recipient came to the country at age six, while the average TPS holder has been in the country for 22 years. In their statement, the coalition notes that those groups play an integral role in our communities, and now face an uncertain future which could mean losing their ability to work lawfully, being separated from their families, and ultimately being deported from the place they call home.
“Leaders from both sides of the aisle are working together to pass permanent protection for Dreamers and TPS holders who we consider working, contributing members of our communities,” said AG Ford. “Together, we’re standing up for these vulnerable individuals and sending a message to Congress that they should no longer live in fear and uncertainty.”
The statement of support is part of AG Ford’s larger commitment to vulnerable and underrepresented communities. In February of this year, AG Ford joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in Ramos v. Nielsen before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The brief supported the plaintiffs’ efforts to prevent the potential deportation of hundreds of thousands of individuals currently residing in the U.S. who hold TPS status. Furthermore, the brief asked the Ninth Circuit to uphold the preliminary nationwide injunction that plaintiffs obtained in the District Court that would prevent the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from terminating TPS designations for Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Sudan.
To view the statement of support, click here.
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