FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 04/10/24
Contact:
Assefash Makonnen, Communications Manager
646- 629-7131
160 ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO DESIGNATE THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO FOR TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS & SPECIAL STUDENT RELIEF
Humanitarian protection is essential given violent conditions and humanitarian crises
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Tuesday, April 10, 2024, 160 organizations led by African Communities Together (ACT) and Congolese community leaders from across the United States, delivered a letter to President Joe Biden, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to urge an initial 18 month Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Special Student Relief designation for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC is facing one of the deadliest armed conflicts in modern history, due to escalating widespread violence, environmental disasters, and humanitarian emergencies in the country. There are currently over 6 million people internally displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The letter outlines that the dire conditions in the DRC since the resurgence of the armed group “Mouvement du 23 mars” or March 23 Movement (M23) in 2022. Over one million people have been displaced since the end of December 2023 and M23 have committed unlawful killings, attacks, gender-based violence, lootings, and the burning of villages. “Clashes involving militant groups over territory and natural resources, extrajudicial killings by security forces, political violence, and rising tensions with neighboring Rwanda have contributed to the dire situation,” the letter reads.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a status that provides critical protection to non-citizens of designated countries in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, who cannot be safely returned to their home country. Congress created TPS as a mechanism to provide humanitarian relief to those who cannot and should not be returned to dangerous conditions. TPS and SSR designations are essential to mitigating critical and temporary humanitarian crisis.
“As we continue to receive reports of widespread violence toward Congolese nationals who have been deported to the DRC, it is imperative that the Biden administration protects our Congolese friends and neighbors in the US with a TPS designation," said Nils Kinuani, Federal Policy Manager, African Communities Together.
“A TPS designation for DRC is critical,” said President Claude Kamana, President of the Congolese Community of Washington Metropolitan, “it will protect families and give access to work permits to contribute to the economy of the United States. TPS is a vital lifeline for our communities and would protect Congolese who are unable to safely return home due to ongoing conflicts, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances. The time is now to grant TPS for DRC.”
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing one of the deadliest armed conflicts and worst humanitarian crises in the world today, full stop. Safe return for Congolese people currently living in the United States is simply not possible. By quickly granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Biden administration can help save many lives by ensuring individuals can remain safely in the U.S. with the ability to work and support themselves and their families.” — Andrea Flores, Vice President for Immigration Policy and Campaigns at FWD.us.
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About African Communities Together
African Communities Together is an organization of African immigrants fighting for civil rights, opportunity, and a better life for African families in the U.S. and worldwide. ACT connects African immigrants to critical services, helps Africans develop as leaders, and organizes African immigrant communities on the issues that matter.
Twitter/Instagram: @AfricansUS
Facebook: facebook.com/AfricansUS
Website: www.africans.us