Statement of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health on ending of Temporary Protected Status for Nicaraguan immigrants and delaying decision for Honduran immigrants

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DHS action destroys the emotional security for U.S. citizen children in immigrant families with a lifetime of consequences for their mental health and well-being, says national health leader.

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National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Nov 07, 2017, 10:36 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Yesterday's action by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) destroys the emotional security of US citizen children born to Nicaraguan immigrant parents who were told to leave our country and continues the fear and anxiety of Honduran families waiting to hear about their fate," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

"The impact of DHS' action on these children and their families should be unacceptable to the nation. There are bipartisan legislative options currently before Congress to protect TPS families. It is time for Congress to act and to do so before the end of the year," stated Dr. Delgado.

Dr. Delgado made her statement after the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security that ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 2,550 Nicaraguan immigrants and delays for six months a decision for 57,000 Honduran who came to the US under the TPS program following natural disasters in their countries. DHS' announcement has further significance for more than 240,000 immigrants from Haiti (46,000) and El Salvador (195,000) that are expected to learn if their TPS work permits will be ended in the coming weeks.

"Among the families with TPS work permits hearing of their status yesterday and in the coming weeks and months are an estimated 273,000 U.S. citizen children. DHS' action destroys the emotional security and compromises the mental health of thousands of U.S. citizen children with a lifetime of consequences for their well-being," concluded Dr. Delgado.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance)
The Alliance is the nation's foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the best health for all. For more information, visit http://www.healthyamericas.org or call the Alliance's Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at 1-866-783-2645.

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health