From the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (http://www.interfaithimmigration.org):
Faith Leaders: Sign On Today! We invite faith leaders across traditions to sign on to a letter at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0wGxU2DWF9KZ8cp4Aw2tTTqh1C68ezBygcEzMgvzZjre6Rg/viewform urging the administration to extend Nepal’s TPS designation for at least another 18 months. Failure to extend TPS for Nepal would mean turning our backs on the vulnerable Nepalis whom we pledged to protect, and would place considerable burdens on the country as it struggles to recover from natural disaster.
There are so many stories of more than 9,000 Nepalis whose lives have been impacted by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25, 2015. Pasang* came to the United States almost two decades ago, and her transition was anything but easy. “Initially, I began to work as a caregiver which was challenging. Being alone in a foreign land itself was difficult, and in addition to that, working as a caregiver for the elderly was an emotionally taxing job.” Soon afterwards, she began working as a nanny, and has continued to be involved in service by working with other domestic workers within the Nepali community in her neighborhood of Queens, New York.
When the earthquakes hit Nepal in 2015, Pasang’s family was impacted by the disaster, like many others. “The building where my son’s business is housed collapsed and as a result, he had to shut his business down.” Not only was Pasang’s son’s business impacted, her family managed a rehabilitation center in Nepal as well, which was also damaged by the quakes. “All of these incidents negatively impacted my family in many ways and they still have not been able to recover completely. These businesses were really the backbone of our family’s livelihood and now much of what I earn here is supporting them through reconstruction.”
Pasang is one of over 9,000 Nepalis that could be forcibly returned to Nepal if TPS is not extended. Offering protection to the most vulnerable is a pillar of our American values. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a U.S. program designed to protect people from being returned to harm, and the administration will decide by April 25th whether to extend TPS for Nepal. We need to send a clear message that the faith community wants to see the administration extend Nepal’s TPS designation for at least another 18 months and support a permanent, legislative solution for all TPS holders. Together, our collective advocacy places the faithful call to love our neighbors into action.
Faith leaders sign on to this letter today!
Thank you for standing with us in the fight.
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