Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 14 other attorneys general, has called on the Biden Administration to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from countries facing dangerous conditions. The request includes extending TPS for all 17 currently designated countries or, at a minimum, for seven countries whose designation will expire within six months. The letter also urges the designation of Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, and Mali due to severe conditions.

TPS allows undocumented individuals in the United States to remain temporarily due to unsafe conditions in their home countries. Following the submission of the letter, the Biden Administration announced extensions for four countries: El Salvador, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Sudan.

“California is proud to be home to more immigrants than any other state in the nation, including over 67,000 TPS holders," stated Attorney General Bonta. "I strongly support the continuation of programs like TPS... I applaud the Biden Administration for its extension... and I urge further action."

Currently designated TPS countries are considered unsafe for return. The attorneys general emphasized extending designations set to expire soon: Afghanistan, El Salvador, Nepal, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

The appeal also highlights human rights violations in Burkina Faso and others proposed for new TPS designations. The letter was co-signed by attorneys general from New York and several other states.

For additional information on immigrant rights and resources visit oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.