Senator Eldridge Stands in Solidarity with Temporary Protected Status Holders
Alongside his constituents, Sen. Eldridge attended events to support TPS holders facing legal challenges from the federal government
(Boston, MA) –. On July 29, State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) and State Representative Adrian Madaro (D-Boston) joined the National TPS Alliance for a vigil in solidarity with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders from Central America and Nepal. The event was held as a federal judge in San Francisco heard arguments in a pivotal case challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate TPS protections for hundreds of thousands of Hondurans, Nepalese, and Nicaraguans living in the United States.
Senator Eldridge, who has worked alongside the National TPS Alliance for nearly a decade, delivered remarks at the vigil reaffirming his commitment to defending the rights of TPS holders and their families.
TPS is a legal designation granted by the federal government to immigrants from certain approved countries. TPS holders are allowed to live and work in the United States for a designated period of time while their home countries face conditions that would make it unsafe to return. While TPS does not provide a path to permanent residency, it allows individuals to live and work in the U.S. legally for a designated period, provided they meet strict eligibility requirements, including maintaining a clean criminal record. In Massachusetts, TPS holders are essential members of their communities, contributing to the economy, paying taxes, and raising families, all while living under the constant threat of deportation.
Just weeks earlier, on June 30, Senator Eldridge spoke at the Mass TPS Closing Event at Boston City Hall, which featured a moving photo exhibit capturing the lived experiences of TPS holders. The event, organized by the National TPS Alliance, included remarks from Eldridge and Doris Landaverde, a TPS holder, labor activist, and resident of Ayer, highlighting the power of grassroots advocacy in the fight for immigrant justice.
“The outcome of this court case will impact thousands of hardworking families across Massachusetts,” said Senator Eldridge. “I am proud to stand with the National TPS Alliance and community leaders like Doris Landaverde to demand permanent protections for TPS holders. These individuals came to the United States seeking safety, and they have become our neighbors, our coworkers, and our community leaders. They deserve stability, dignity, and the opportunity to remain in the place they now call home.”
“I want to thank Senator Eldridge for recognizing the work of the National TPS Alliance and myself. I am proud to live in the district he represents, and grateful that he acknowledges the contributions and the fight for respect and dignity of the TPS community and my own,” said Doris Landaverde, co-coordinator of the National TPS Alliance. I hope the American community will join Senator Eldridge in sending a strong message to Congress about the urgency of passing a permanent solution for more than one million people are losing their status, including myself.
In a significant victory for TPS holders, U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson ruled on August 1 to temporarily block the administration from ending their protections, preventing their removal, while the court case proceeds. This ruling underscores the urgency of continued advocacy to protect TPS families from unjust deportation.
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