International
TPS holders at risk in the upcoming U.S. presidential election
The U.S. presidential election is less than a month away. And there are many immigrants, mostly Salvadorans, who will risk staying in the U.S. Since they do not have the right to vote.
For over two decades now, many TPS holders have been waiting on a permanent solution to their immigration status. They demand, among many things, the right to apply for a permanent residence or citizenship. These issues had a decisive setback last September, when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted President Donald Trump’s administration permission to end TPS.
The TPS program, created in 1990 by the U.S. Congress, grants permits to citizens of nations affected by war, violence or natural disasters to stay in the country.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was originally created as a temporary relief, as its name implies. But it has been extended over the years, leaving its holders with an irregular immigration status. So much so it disqualifies them from pursuing any legal status and often even from traveling to their home countries because of the risk of not being able to enter the U.S. again.
Following the election (regardless of its outcome), hundreds of people will demand permanent U.S. residency for TPS holders. After the court’s ruling in September, a group of “TPS holders” boarded a bus named ‘La Libertad’ (‘Liberty’ in English) that had the message “Residency Now” written on it. The bus plans to travel to 54 cities in 32 states until it arrives in Washington, D.C. in the first weeks of November.
This tour, called “Journey for Justice” by its organizers, is supported by the National TPS Alliance, made up of the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). And it brings TPS holders from El Salvador and Honduras together.
According to information from Telemundo and news agencies, this tour has three messages. The first one is permanent residency for TPS holders; the second one is to raise awareness on the reality of the Coronavirus, that people have to be careful; the third one is “vote, vote, vote” and choose the people who best represent the working-class and immigrant interests in the United States, because the future is in the hands of those who have the privilege to choose: U.S. citizens.
Sources: Telemundo and agencies
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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