Speech #1090139925

Chairman. I have strong concerns regarding a pattern of abuse of the Temporary Protective Status Program. Congress has granted formerly the Attorney General and now the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to grant temporary refugee to aliens. usually illegal aliens. from particular countries under temporary protected status. If there is an ongoing armed conflict in the country and the return of nationals would pose a threat to their security or if there has been a natural disaster in the country resulting in a substantial but temporary disruption of living conditions. TPS status can be granted. It has become all too apparent that the administration is utilizing TPS as a de facto amnesty for illegal aliens from certain Central American countries. For instance. TPS status was granted to Honduran and Nicaraguan nationals at the end of 1998 following Hurricane Mitch. The administration recently extended TPS for the sixth time. Temporary dislocations caused by Hurricane Mitch have long since ended. TPS status for Salvadoran nationals was granted early in 2001 as a result of earthquakes hitting the region. The administration has extended TPS now four times. again. long after any temporary dislocations caused by earthquakes have ended. These extensions cover approximately 225.000 Salvadorians. 75.000 Hondurans and 4.000 Nicaraguans. Last December. several Members including Chairman SENSENBRENNER urged the administration to reject Guatemalas request for yet another extension of TPS for its nationals present in the United States. The administration ignored this reasonable request. To be clear. I am not opposed to having the ability to grant TPS. but I hope you will support my amendment to defund these specific abuses of this important designation tool. which is meant to serve important legitimate temporary needs. not. act as a rolling amnesty. Mr. Chairman.