Washington D.C., Oct 18, 2017 / 16:04 pm
As a temporary immigration permit program for families fleeing violence in Honduras and El Salvador is set to expire, the U.S. bishops warn that requiring immigrants to return to unsafe countries is unjust.
"There is ample evidence to suggest that current TPS recipients from Honduras and El Salvador cannot return safely to their home country at this time," said Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops Committee on Migration.
He urged the faithful to keep the people of El Salvador and Honduras, including those with Temporary Protective Status "in your thoughts and prayers," while introducing a report on the issue, released by the USCCB this week.
The bishop and the report expressed support for an extension of TPS – a kind of temporary immigration status– for people from Honduras and El Salvador, and called for a long-term legislative solution to the situation.