Fact Check: Temporary Protected Status has become a de facto amnesty program in the U.S.

Fact Check: "Temporary Protected Status has become a de facto amnesty program in the U.S."

What We Know

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program established to protect individuals from certain countries experiencing crises, such as armed conflict or natural disasters, from deportation. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, TPS allows eligible individuals to remain in the U.S. and obtain work permits for a limited period, which can be extended based on the conditions in their home countries.

Recent reports indicate that the number of individuals granted TPS has significantly increased during the Biden-Harris Administration. A report from the House Judiciary Committee claims that over 1 million individuals were granted TPS, with a substantial portion having entered the U.S. without valid visas or through illegal means (source-2, source-3). Specifically, it states that more than 95% of TPS recipients from Venezuela and 91% from Haiti were either illegally paroled into the U.S. or entered without inspection (source-3).

Critics argue that this expansion of TPS has effectively turned it into a "de facto amnesty program," as it provides long-term protection from deportation for individuals who may not have qualified under previous criteria. The End Unaccountable Amnesty Act introduced in Congress aims to revise TPS regulations, suggesting that there is significant political contention surrounding the program's current application.

Analysis

The claim that TPS has become a de facto amnesty program is supported by evidence indicating a dramatic increase in TPS recipients, particularly those who entered the U.S. illegally. The House Judiciary Committee's report details how the Biden-Harris Administration expanded TPS eligibility, which critics interpret as an attempt to shield undocumented immigrants from deportation (source-2, source-6).

However, the characterization of TPS as an "amnesty program" is contentious. Proponents of TPS argue that it serves a vital humanitarian purpose, providing protection to individuals fleeing dire conditions in their home countries. The American Immigration Council emphasizes that TPS was designed to offer temporary relief and that its expansion is a necessary response to ongoing crises (source-7).

The reliability of the sources varies; the House Judiciary Committee report and the End Unaccountable Amnesty Act are politically motivated documents that may reflect partisan perspectives. In contrast, the American Immigration Council provides a more neutral overview of TPS, focusing on its intended humanitarian function (source-7, source-8).

Conclusion

The claim that "Temporary Protected Status has become a de facto amnesty program in the U.S." is Partially True. While it is accurate that the Biden-Harris Administration has significantly increased the number of TPS recipients, many of whom entered the U.S. illegally, the term "amnesty" is contentious and politically charged. TPS remains a humanitarian program designed to provide temporary protection, and its expansion can be viewed through both humanitarian and political lenses. Thus, while the claim has merit, it oversimplifies a complex issue.

Fact Check: Temporary Protected Status has become a de facto amnesty program in the U.S.