“Lives Are at Risk If We Delay” Extending Humanity to South Sudanese Immigrants

“Lives Are at Risk If We Delay” Extending Humanity to South Sudanese Immigrants

Portrait of sad refugee of Sudan man standing outside his new home in Kibutz Ibim, Israel. There are currently an estimated 60,000 African migrants in Israel. KIBUTZ IBIM, ISR – JULY 10 2007 (Shutterstock)

In just a few weeks, a deadline looms that has the potential to impact the lives of South Sudanese immigrants who fled war crimes, human rights abuses, and routine violence in their home country and sought refuge in the United States. Unless the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acts by September 3rd, TPS designation for South Sudan will expire by November 2nd and vulnerable refugees will be unprotected from deportation from the United States back to dangerous and unstable conditions. In addition to the moral obligation, the U.S. has to protect vulnerable populations fleeing rampant violence and deteriorating country conditions, extending and redesignating TPS for South Sudan is in the best interest of domestic tranquility and American foreign and economic interests.

As it has done for 300,000 others with TPS, letting TPS for South Sudan expire would have unduly negative ripple effects. According to Douglas Rivlin, Director of Communication for America’s Voice: The Department of Homeland Security under Trump has been marked by consistent unwarranted cruelty directed at immigrants and refugees. This moment could prove to be a pivotal opportunity for redemption. Redesignating and extending TPS for South Sudan for another 18 months protects immigrants who have been able to build lives, raise children, pay taxes, add to our communities, and contribute to our economy in safety. Redesignation is an urgent need. Lives are at risk if we delay or force refugees fleeing South Sudan to return to danger. Now is the time to push the Trump administration to act with humanity and protect South Sudanese immigrants. We as a country can no longer abide by the moral stain and xenophobic policies of the Trump regime. 

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