Group urges Pinoys in NMI to urge DHS to grant TPS status for Phils.

Today, March 27, has been designated as a Community Call to Action Day, urging members of the Filipino community in the United States, CNMI, and Guam to call the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the White House to designate a Temporary Protected Status for the Philippines.
During a March 26 national conference call of the US Pinoys for Good Governance, it was learned that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has already submitted his recommendation to the Department of Homeland Security.

“However, the content of the said recommendation was not divulged,” said attorney Loida Nicolas Lewis, national chairperson of the US Pinoys for Good Governance.

Under U.S. immigration law, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of State, may designate a country, or portions of a country, for TPS when conditions exist—such as an ongoing armed conflict or an environmental disaster—that temporarily prevents the country’s nationals in the U.S. from returning safely.

Once a country receives TPS designation, nationals of that country residing in the U.S. would not be deportable and may receive temporary legal status that allows them to receive employment authorization and even permission to travel abroad.

According to a reliable source who does not want to be identified, the Department of Homeland Security is looking into the legal justification for a full or partial TPS for the Philippines (only those who have families in the areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda).

“As a result of this latest development, I am urging all Filipinos in the U.S., Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam to call the Department of Homeland Security at (202)-282-8495 and the White House at (202) 456-1111. Please say the following message: ‘Temporary Protected Status for the Philippines must be designated. I urge the Department of Homeland Security (if calling DHS) and President Obama (if calling the White House) that full TPS be designated for the Philippines. My name is (say your name) from (say your city and state),’” said Dr. Celia Lamkin, chairperson of USP4GG Marianas chapter (CNMI and Guam).

“ It has come to my attention that a misinformation is being disseminated that those who have CWs in the CNMI do not need to call for the TPS campaign. This is totally wrong because even non-Filipinos or other ethnicities can call to support TPS designation for the Philippines.”

“In an effort to successfully campaign for TPS and assist those who would like to call DHS and the White House, the US Pinoys for Good Governance Marianas chapter, in collaboration with the National Federation of Filipino-American Association, will provide free calls today, March 27, at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion, from 4pm to 7pm,” added Lamkin who is also the newly appointed chairperson of the NaFFAA Marianas chapter for Guam and CNMI. (PR)