A recently found memo from the last days of former President Joe Biden’s administration highlights his team’s plan to significantly expand Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to protect over 3 million noncitizens. The strategy aimed to thwart former President Donald Trump’s deportation plans.
Memo Content: The memo, obtained by Senator Eric Schmitt, indicates that Biden’s advisers considered enlarging TPS eligibility to shield individuals from Trump's anticipated mass deportations.
TPS Overview: TPS is designed to protect foreign nationals from returning to dangerous conditions in their home countries due to conflicts or disasters.The memo emphasized using TPS as a protective measure before Trump could implement his immigration agenda.
Legal Considerations: The Biden administration acknowledged past successful lawsuits against Trump’s attempts to end TPS, indicating confidence that similar legal strategies could block Trump’s efforts again.
Senator Schmitt's Criticism: Schmitt criticized the plan, accusing Biden’s advisers of attempting to create a "3.1-million-person deportation shield" to hinder Trump’s agenda.He pointed out that Biden's advisers suggested adding 2.1 million new TPS designations shortly before the end of Biden's presidency.
Potential Beneficiaries: The memo listed possible TPS beneficiaries, including 1.5 million Guatemalans, 464,000 Nicaraguans, 600,000 Ecuadorians, and 455,000 Venezuelans, totaling over 3.1 million people.
Democratic Support: Several Democratic senators urged Biden to expand TPS further, requesting protections for nationals from additional countries, including Ecuador and Guatemala.
Unfinished Plans: Although the memo proposed extensive TPS expansions, not all plans were executed.Biden did extend TPS to nearly one million noncitizens shortly after the memo was written.
The memo reveals a strategic approach by Biden's administration to leverage TPS as a political tool against Trump's immigration plans. While the full expansion was not realized, the discussions illustrate the administration's considerations and the ongoing complexities of immigration policy during a politically charged transition.
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