FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 26, 2018
Contact: Wardah Khalid | media@cwsglobal.org | 202.733.5151
Church World Service Decries Nepal TPS Termination
Washington, D.C. – Church World Service condemned the news that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was terminated for Nepal, effective June 24, 2019. Thousands of Nepalis will soon lose their work authorization and become vulnerable for deportation. With this announcement, America is turning her back on the vulnerable Nepalis whom we pledged to protect, and would place considerable burdens on the country as it struggles to recover from natural disaster.
TPS allowed certain Nepali people to legally live and work in the U.S. and was first granted in 2015 after a devastating 7.8 magnitude hit the country, affecting more than 8 million people, over a quarter of Nepal’s total population. About 9,000 people died, 22,000 people were injured, and there was significant damage or destruction to over 755,000 homes. In 2016, the administration extended Nepal’s TPS designation for 18 months because most homes, schools, health centers, and other buildings had yet to be reconstructed. In addition, Nepal’s recovery from the natural disaster was slowed by serious intervening factors, including bureaucratic issues in dispersing aid and civil unrest, and blockades preventing necessary materials from entering the country.
Today, we mourn for the Nepalis who will be severely affected by this termination and forced to return to such an unsafe environment. We also call on the administration and Congress to support legislation that would protect all TPS holders from deportation. CWS stands ready to support measures to ensure the well-being and dignity of Nepali families.
Please click here to see more information on our actions on this issue.
Since 1946, Church World Service has supported refugees, immigrants and other displaced individuals, in addition to providing sustainable relief and development solutions to communities that wrestle with hunger and poverty. Learn more about our work and join our global homebase for refugee solidarity at GreaterAs1.org.
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