US Congress still studying TPS for Pinoys

The US has not yet approved the Philippine request for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 300,000 undocumented Filipinos.

Diplomatic sources said yesterday the request is still under consideration, as issues for TPS designation are “more complicated than the people know.”

The US sees the “Philippine situation a bit complicated,” as the economic situation in typhoon-affected areas is not the situation in the entire country, the sources added.

A TPS defers deportation of the Filipinos and enables them to work legally in the US. It does not grant permanent residence status to aliens.

The Philippines has asked the US government to designate the country under TPS.

Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia, Jr. officially conveyed the request on Dec. 13 to the Department of Homeland Security through a diplomatic note sent to the US Department of State.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said placing the Philippines under TPS will allow eligible Filipinos to stay and work in the US and help in the recovery efforts following Typhoon Yolanda’s devastation of Central Visayas.

It may take some time for US authorities to evaluate the Philippine request.

If the request is approved, eligible Filipinos can start filing their applications, which will be reviewed on a case-to-case basis.

Currently, the US has issued TPS designation on Syria, Somalia, Haiti, Honduras and El Salvador.

In a letter dated April 14, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone asked US Ambassador Philip Goldberg “to support and recommend to US President Barack Obama the immediate approval of the Philippine government’s request” for TPS.

Evardone said once the TPS designation is made, out-of-status Filipinos in the US could help fast-track rebuilding efforts and economic recovery from the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda through monthly remittances to their families.

“With an 18-month TPS, these undocumented Filipinos could infuse into our economy at least P2.64 billion per month should each of them send $200 monthly to their respective families, at an exchange rate of P44,” he said.

Evardone said Filipinos abroad, including his constituents in the US, have been sending all forms of assistance since November last year when Yolanda devastated central Philippines.

“Families in the Philippines, especially those left homeless by Typhoon Yolanda, depend much on the remittances of these overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” he said.

In December 2013 alone, OFW personal remittances reached $2.4 billion, or 12.5 percent higher than that made a year earlier, with the US as one of the major sources of remittances, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Evardone thanked Goldberg for the various forms of assistance that the US government and citizens have extended through the years, especially in the aftermath of Yolanda.

“We are truly privileged to have an ally who never failed to lend a helping hand in times of crisis,” he said.

At least 20 US senators have earlier reportedly expressed support for a TPS on the Philippines.

The Philippine request for TPS has reached US Secretary of State John Kerry’s office for his recommendation before it is approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

President Aquino vowed to bring up the TPS issue with US President Barack Obama when he visits onApril 28.

– Pia Lee-Brago, Paolo Romero