TPS revocation by US opens door for implementation, around 7,000 Nepalis must return home

Bhadra 5, Kathmandu. The US decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepali citizens has paved the way for implementation. The US Federal Court of Appeals sided with the Trump administration, clearing the way for the TPS revocation decision to be carried out.

As a result, approximately 7,000 Nepalis who have been living in the US based on TPS will now have to return home.

The US government granted TPS to undocumented Nepalis following the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015. At that time, it was estimated that about 15,000 Nepali citizens had received TPS.

While the Trump administration was implementing strict policies against immigrants and those living illegally, the US Department of Homeland Security initially decided that the TPS status for citizens of Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua would end. The decision was to revoke the TPS status for Nepali citizens starting August 5, and for Honduran and Nicaraguan citizens from September.

The National TPS Alliance and some Nepalis filed a lawsuit against this decision. Last month, a lower court had ordered a temporary stay on the Trump administration’s decision to end TPS for citizens of Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua until at least November 18. However, on Wednesday, the Court of Appeals stayed that previous ruling, thereby opening the path for the TPS revocation decision to be implemented.

What is TPS?

TPS is a facility provided under the US immigration system for special circumstances. Citizens of certain countries who receive this status are temporarily allowed to live, work, and sometimes travel internationally within the US.

This status is managed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

According to its website, this status is granted to citizens of countries where there is internal or external conflict, a natural disaster, or other serious humanitarian crises. It is for people whose normal life is not possible in their home country and where they face security risks.

Individuals who receive this status are not expelled from the US and are given legal permission to work. However, this is not a permanent residency status. The information states that after the specified period expires, the individual must return if they are no longer eligible to remain in the US.

( News source : Onlinekhabar.com)