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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2023
CONTACT:
Mynellies Negrón | +1 703 585 6727 | mynellies@communicationsshop.us
Durham, NC — Yesterday, the Durham City Council adopted a resolution that aims to reflect the enormous contributions Guatemalan migrants make to the state of North Carolina. The resolution urges the Biden-Harris administration to immediately issue a designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Guatemalan nationals residing in the U.S. in order for them to remain with their families in the U.S. and avoid future deportations.
The adoption of this resolution was made possible due to the leadership of Alianza Americas’ member organization, Latino Commission on AIDS, who worked directly with the Durham City Council. As little hope remains for Congress to pass legislation granting permanent protection to undocumented immigrants, it is crucial that cities join in solidarity and call on the Biden Administration to use its administrative tools to provide relief in the form of TPS.
“The adoption of this resolution is a strategy that grassroots leaders have implemented demonstrating that effective advocacy at the local level will garner support to improve the quality of life of immigrant and migrant communities, specifically for those who could benefit from a TPS designation for Guatemala. This will allow us to shed light on the root causes of forced migration from Guatemala and educate local governments on how they can take significant measures to build cities that welcome undocumented immigrant communities,” said Eleazar Cifuentes, president of the Association of Guatemalans United in North Carolina.
“Undocumented immigrants currently don’t qualify for receiving Marketplace healthcare coverage and are unable to receive premium tax credits that would guarantee them access to healthcare. Granting TPS to undocumented Guatemalans currently living in the U.S. would ensure that thousands of families could access employer based private health insurance. Being uninsured in the U.S. has deadly consequences for many migrant and immigrant communities across this nation. This is why Latino Commission on AIDS supports a national effort calling for TPS for Guatemalans,”said Judith Montenegro, Latinos in the South Program Director at Latino Commission on AIDS.
Javiera Caballero At-Large Council Member with the City of Durham said “Today the City of Durham is standing in solidarity with our neighbors and friends and calling on the Executive Office of the President of the United States to act immediately and designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Guatemala. Additionally, we call on the Department of Homeland Security to grant a TPS designation for Guatemalans currently residing in the United States. This humanitarian program provides support to people fleeing political instability, natural disasters, and violence.”
North Carolina is home to a growing Guatemalan population. The cities with the largest Guatemalan constituencies include: Durham, Carrboro, Chatham and Morgantown.
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Alianza Americas is the premier transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations working in the United States, across the Americas, and globally to create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable way of life for communities across North, Central and South America. In 2022, Alianza integrated with Presente.org, establishing a stronger digital organizing powerhouse.
