Tegucigalpa
The president of Honduras, Nasry Asfuraasked the United States this Tuesday for its support regarding the situation of thousands of “Honduran” migrants affected by the termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS)”.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of United States StateMarco Rubio, Asfura indicated that “Honduras deeply values its relationship of friendship, cooperation and trust with the United States,” and that both countries “share the interest of promoting security, stability, economic growth and regular, safe and orderly migration in our region.”
Last day the 25th, Government of Honduras announced the beginning of a “high-level” diplomatic offensive against the United States, following the ruling of the US Supreme Court that endorses the revocation of the TPSa decision that warns that it will impact thousands of families.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Honduran Government expressed that it “takes note” of the Supreme Court ruling (6-3) in favor of the Donald Trump Administrationwhich allows some 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians to withdraw protection.
In his letter, Asfura expresses to Rubio that the recent pronouncement of the United States Supreme Courtalthough it was issued in cases relating to other countries and does not directly resolve the process concerning Honduras, it has configured a new legal scenario that makes bilateral coordination especially important.
“Honduras fully recognizes the temporary nature of the TPS and respects the decisions sovereignly adopted by the institutions of the United States. In this new scenario, my Government considers it essential to continue promoting, through diplomatic and administrative channels, the legally available alternatives that allow the protection of Honduran families and ensure an orderly, predictable and humanitarian transition,” he adds.
The president pointed out that the situation involves tens of thousands of Hondurans who have lived and worked for more than two decades in the USAhave contributed to their economy, created businesses, acquired homes and formed families, including families with girls and boys, who are American citizens.
He also said that “an abrupt transition could cause family separation, sudden loss of jobs and income, educational interruption, property damage and operational difficulties for the authorities of both countries.”
“In this context, I respectfully request your personal support and good offices so that, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and the other competent authorities, a reasonable and clearly delimited additional period of orderly transition or any other administrative mechanism, legally available, that produces equivalent effects is considered,” Asfura stressed.
The president advocated that the affected Honduran migrants receive qualified legal advice, determine if they are eligible for any other migratory route provided for in US legislation, put their family, work, educational and property affairs in order and, when appropriate, prepare a coordinated, dignified and safe return to Honduras.
“We would appreciate that, to the extent permitted by US law, this mechanism contemplates the temporary continuity of employment authorizations; this would avoid unnecessary labor dislocations, favor voluntary compliance and allow both governments to adequately coordinate the cases of those who must return,” highlights, among other things, the letter from Asfura to Rubio. EFE
