The U.S. has a "moral responsibility" to provide a legal haven for persons hailing from these countries, the bishops wrote, saying that the hurricanes "have devastated communities across Central America."
"In addition to providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to populations in need, the U.S. has a moral responsibility to provide foreign nationals from these countries currently present in the U.S. temporary humanitarian protection," the letter states.
Spokespersons for the Departments of Homeland Security and State did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the request.
The Trump administration moved to end TPS protections for certain countries, including El Salvador and Nicaragua.
On Feb. 3, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki wouldn't say if the Biden administration would renew TPS protections for those countries, noting that the process was "under review." President Biden has already proposed a pathway to citizenship for TPS holders.
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The bishops appealed to American "values" in their request for aid.
"As Americans, we know such a response to be supported by the values, laws, and ideals that this country holds dear; and as Christians, we are called in a special way to make this plea," it continued. "We therefore join with people of faith all across the U.S. in praying for a swift recovery from these devastating storms and a humane response to those impacted by them."
A CRS official told told CNA's Spanish-language sister agency ACI Prensa in November that global attention on other crises--such as the COVID-19 pandemic--was impacting the group's relief efforts in Central America. The official appealed to Catholics to "not overlook Central America."