The Trump administration has just announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans is being terminated. Approximately 57,000 Hondurans nationwide have this protection, all of whom have lived in the United States for at least nineteen years. Long Island, with 5,000, has the largest number of Honduran TPS-holders in New York State. Communities like Hempstead, Westbury, Roosevelt, Freeport, Glen Cove, Huntington Station, Central Islip, and Brentwood are expected to be particularly hard-hit by the termination of TPS.
Hondurans who already have TPS will have sixty days to file for one final renewal of their work permits. New permits will be good for eighteen months before the program is terminated.
Hondurans with TPS can call Catholic Charities at 631-789-5210 or CARECEN at 516-489-8330 or 631-273-8721 for assistance in filing a renewal. Both organizations charge a fee for the service.
Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said that; “Trump’s vindictive assault on immigrants takes another sad step. For the past 19 years, Honduran TPS recipients have made immense contributions to the social and economic fabric of our New York. How will America be greater or safer by forcing our Honduran neighbors, coworkers and friends to leave?”
