WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security announced it would end a temporary program providing work permits and protection against deportation for immigrants from Nicaragua and Honduras, which together cover about 75,000 people in the U.S.
Both temporary programs began more than 25 years ago and were extended multiple times because of damage from Hurricane Mitch, which slammed Central America in 1998. But Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she has found that both countries have rebuilt from the disasters so the temporary settlement programs for their citizens are no longer needed.
“Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that – temporary,” Noem said in a statement July 7.
The programs are slated to end in 60 days. DHS has offered immigrants $1,000 and a free plane ticket to remove themselves to their home countries.
As President Donald Trump strengthens immigration enforcement, courts have temporarily halted the cancellation of temporary immigration programs for other countries. But the Supreme Court ruled recently that Trump could end safe-haven programs.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Biden administration “abused” the program and said “we’re not going to tolerate that any further.”
“It is not meant to be a permanent path to residency or citizenship here in the United States of America,” Leavitt told reporters July 7. “If individuals from these countries want to come here, they have a legal pathway to do it, but temporary protected status was never meant to be permanent.”
The temporary status for Hondurans covers about 72,000 people in the U.S., according to DHS.
But Noem found that Honduras has become a popular destination for tourism and real-estate development. Reports indicate that nearly 96% of Hondurans have access to a basic water source, nearly 84% can access basic sanitation and 93% have access to electricity, according to DHS.
“Honduran citizens can safely return home, and DHS is here to help facilitate their voluntary return,” Noem said.
The temporary status for Nicaraguans covers about 4,000 people in the U.S., according to DHS.
But Noem found the country had become a worldwide tourist destination. Technology is helping the country improve its agriculture and fishing. The country has built key bridges to mitigate flooding and developed about 124 miles of roads, according to DHS.
“The environmental situation has improved enough that it is safe enough for Nicaraguan citizens to return home,” Noem added.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump-led DHS cancels safe-haven programs for Hondurans, Nicaraguans
