Saipan supporters join call for grant of TPS for PH

Members of the Filipino community urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the White House to grant full TPS designation for the Philippines. (Contributed Photo)

Approximately 40 Filipinos on Saipan availed of free calls to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security comment line during the four-hour Temporary Protected Status for the Philippines campaign organized by the US Pinoys for Good Governance–Marianas chapter in collaboration with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations–Marianas chapter at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion in Susupe last Thursday, March 27, according to Dr. Celia Lamkin, chairperson of the USP4GG and NaFFAA Marianas chapters for CNMI and Guam.
That day had been designated by advocacy groups as a national day of community action to call in for the designation of Temporary Protected Status for the Philippines.

To easily facilitate the calls, the groups’ members and volunteers assisted the callers by dialing the DHS comment line number and providing a typed message to be delivered to the DHS comment line. Flyers were also distributed to the participants to encourage others to call DHS and the White House for the TPS.

“ It is overwhelming to know that our kababayans (compatriots), U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens really care by participating in this community action for TPS. They were very anxious and interested to know more about TPS. It shows that they care about the Philippines and the Filipino people,” said Lamkin.

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.

Lamkin extends her appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to Ronald Lamkin, Lucita Torres Reyes, Jovy Brondo, Corazon San Gabriel, Emma Lumbad, Minda Domingo, Alito Canazo, Dennis Quiroz, Marianas Variety, Saipan Tribune, El Shaddai Charismatic Group on Saipan, Maxima Bigalbal, Perla Bermudez, Gus Loste, Nicole Joy Manabat, Raul Brondo, Stephanie Lumbad, Oliver Lumbad, Rudy Armenta, Division of Parks and Recreation, director Eli Cabrera, and the CNMI community.