Today, United for a Free Syria (UFS) along with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Arab American Institute (AAI), and Syrian American Public Affairs Council (SAPAC) met with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to discuss the request for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals, who are currently in the United States.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 24, 2012
Today, United for a Free Syria (UFS) along with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Arab American Institute (AAI), and Syrian American Public Affairs Council (SAPAC) met with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to discuss the request for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals, who are currently in the United States.
In close coordination with a broad coalition, on January 25, 2012, UFS formally requested that the Secretary of the DHS grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS), under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, to Syrian nationals presently in the United States. The request was sent directly to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. In addition to UFS and the ADC, the coalition included Syrian Expatriates Organization (SEO), Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF), Syrian Americans for Democracy (SAD), South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), and Refugee Council USA (RCUSA). Additional organizations have endorsed the petition for TPS since it was filed.
A TPS designation will allow Syria nationals to remain in the U.S. on a temporary basis until the violence subsides and the situation is deemed safe. Under 8 U.S.C. § 1254a, the DHS may designate nationals from any foreign state or part of a foreign state for TPS if there is ongoing armed conflict within the state and, due to the conflict, requiring the return of nationals to that region would pose a serious threat to their personal safety. For nearly a year, the Syrian regime has ruthlessly targeted Syrian civilians, including women and children. Requiring nationals to return to Syria at this time would undoubtedly “pose a serious threat to their safety.”
Read: Syria TPS Request
UFS Chairman Dr. Yahya Basha commented, “UFS has been in communication with the US Congress and White House as well as other relevant agencies in a persistent effort to gain support for the TPS request. Today's meeting is a critical step towards the potential implementation of TPS for Syrian nationals. We will continue to work with our government towards protecting Syrians, both inside and outside of Syria.”
United for a Free Syria is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting freedom, dignity, and democracy for the Syrian People. Updated news and information can be found at unitedfreesyria.org. Media inquiries are welcome.
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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/2/prweb9226570.htm
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