April 4, 2022 - Washington, DC— Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) has introduced the “Temporary Protected Status Reform Act.” The bill would shift authority to determine 
eligibility criteria for the TPS program from the Executive Branch to Congress. Further, it would set strict but reasonable maximum lengths for TPS duration while also removing TPS protection from illegal aliens.
eligibility criteria for the TPS program from the Executive Branch to Congress. Further, it would set strict but reasonable maximum lengths for TPS duration while also removing TPS protection from illegal aliens.Original cosponsors: Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15), Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04), and Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10).
Background: The TPS program was established in 1990 as a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals as a result of a natural disaster, civil violence, or other extraordinary conditions making their country “unable, temporarily, to adequately handle the return of its nationals.” However, “Temporary” Protected Status is de facto permanent, as under current law, it is almost certain to be repeatedly renewed every 12 or 18 months. Before the Trump Administration, not a single person was ever forced to leave America because his Temporary Protected Status expired.[1]
Prominent grassroots border security advocacy groups NumbersUSA and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) support the “Temporary Protected Status Reform Act.”
Congressman Brooks said, “Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is de facto amnesty. Before the Trump Administration, not a single person was ever forced to leave America because his Temporary Protected Status expired. Often, TPS is granted to illegal aliens after they are caught by immigration enforcement officials. The TPS program is rife with abuse and desperately needs reform. The Biden Administration simply rubber stamps renewals for eligibility in the program.”
Brooks concluded, “My bill, the ‘TPS Reform Act,’ would remove TPS protection from illegal aliens, strip the Executive Branch of the authority to designate TPS, and give that power back to Congress so future administrations cannot as easily abuse TPS authority. More than 400,000 illegal aliens may reside in the United States under TPS.[2] TPS eligible illegal aliens may benefit from work permits, Social Security Numbers, driver’s licenses, and more. TPS is ripe for reform.”
Rosemary Jenks, Director of Government Relations at NumbersUSA praised the TPS Reform Act saying, “The Biden Administration has been abusing this temporary, humanitarian program, just as prior administrations have for 30 years. It is being used as a de facto amnesty program by unelected bureaucrats with no accountability to the American people. This bill would take back Congress’ constitutional power over this part of immigration policy and require elected representatives of the people to decide when Temporary Protected Status is warranted. We applaud Congressman Brooks for introducing this important legislation.”
Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), said, “Temporary Protected Status is a runaway program that allows the president to offer 'temporary' protection for illegal aliens, creating a sense of permanent residence for illegals that does not exist. Our laws should not reward illegal immigrants to the United States regardless of the political or natural upheavals in their homelands. We support Congressman Mo Brooks' legislation that places firm limits on TPS and puts this power in the hands of Congress -rather than leaving it up to the whim of one individual or agency.“
[2]https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/20190329_RS20844_40bba737bf5e4440ac7bebb19757db87fe994fa4.pdf
Source: Congressman Mo Brooks
Source: Congressman Mo Brooks
