Peru: Undocumented Peruvians Request U.S. Permit After Earthquake

LIP-ir) -- Peruvian activists in the U.S. are attempting to have the U.S. Government approve a permit which would grant undocumented immigrants from Peru a temporary permit in the United States.

The authorization is being requested as a result of the devastating magnitude-8 earthquake which struck Peru on August 15.

According to Reuters News Agency, the U.S. grants the permit known as the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to countries that have suffered natural disasters or civil wars. The Temporary Protected Status is valid for one year and can be renewed.

RPP News in Peru reported that Sergio Massa, president of the Peruvian American Political Organization in Miami, stated, "We are requesting humanitarian aid, so that the deportation of Peruvians is halted and they are granted the TPS."

Massa reported that a letter, requesting the approval of the permit for Peruvian immigrants, had been sent to U.S. President George W. Bush. He added that copies were also sent to the Secretary of Homeland Security - Michael Chertoff, the Secretary of State - Condoleezza Rice and to other congressmen and U.S. authorities.

It was reported that the approval of the TPS would legalize 500,000 undocumented Peruvians in the U.S. Massa stated he would travel to Lima to request that Peru's Government also solicit the permit.

It is estimated that 1.2 million immigrants, legal and illegal, live in the United States

http://www.livinginperu.com/news-4564-p ... earthquake