Rep. Clyde Introduces Bill to Repeal Backdoor Amnesty

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) introduced the Territorial Protection and Sovereignty (TPS) Act to repeal Temporary Protected Status (TPS) authority, closing a widely abused amnesty loophole.

The legislation would repeal Temporary Protected Status, terminate existing TPS designations, and direct TPS holders to depart the United States - as they would no longer be considered lawfully present. Therefore, all TPS holders would be eligible for deportation.

"Unfortunately, there has never been anything temporary about Temporary Protected Status," said Clyde. "TPS has been weaponized and abused for decades, turning a so-called 'temporary' protection into permanent amnesty. It's time for Congress to close this amnesty loophole once and for all by fully repealing TPS and sending all TPS holders out of the country."

"Proponents of TPS claim the designation is both compassionate and essential to our economy. In reality, America is not a charity or an international economic zone. Our entire focus must be on the safety, prosperity, and futures of American citizens, which is why shutting down America Last immigration policies like TPS is critically important," Clyde continued.

Bill text is available HERE.

Read the Daily Caller's exclusive on the legislation HERE.

Original cosponsors include (4): Representatives Buddy Carter (GA-01), Randy Fine (FL-06), Nancy Mace (SC-01), and Troy Nehls (TX-22).

The TPS Act is supported by the Immigration Accountability Project and NumbersUSA.

"Temporary Protected Status was only ever intended to be used in limited circumstances, but like humanitarian parole, it has become a system that has been fundamentally abused to grant work authorization to countless illegal aliens. Congress should reclaim its plenary power over immigration, starting with TPS. The Immigration Accountability Project is thankful to Congressman Clyde for this bold legislation," said Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project.

"Temporary Protective Status has become nothing more than permanent backdoor amnesty for over one million migrants. The Trump Administration has been working valiantly to end the abuse of TPS to only be stymied by activist judges and the open borders caucus in Congress. NumbersUSA thanks Congressman Clyde for his leadership to end backdoor amnesty," said Michael Hough, Co-President, NumbersUSA.

Background

Congress established Temporary Protected Status through the 1990 Immigration Act. The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to the following temporary conditions:

• Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
• An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic
• Other extraordinary and temporary conditions

During a designated period, TPS holders or those who are found preliminary eligible for TPS upon initial review of their case:

• Are not removable from the United States
• Can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)
• May be granted travel authorization

Now, over 1 million migrants living in the U.S. are either receiving or eligible for TPS. The Biden-Harris Administration drastically expanded TPS, adding countries like Ukraine, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. Additionally, the so-called "temporary" designation has effectively become a permanent status, with some countries maintaining TPS status for decades:

• El Salvador: 25 years
• Somalia: 34 years
• Honduras: 26 years
• Haiti: 16 years

The Trump Administration terminated TPS for numerous countries, an America First move facing legal challenges. While the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the termination of the Biden Administration's 2021 TPS designation for Venezuela, other cases, like Syria and Haiti, and awaiting the Supreme Court's decision.