Temporary immigration extended for 300,000 Central Americans

By Ruth Morris
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted May 3 2007


The federal government will allow more than 300,000 Central Americans with temporary immigration status to remain in the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.

The announcement allows Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Salvadorans -- many of them in South Florida -- to renew their temporary protected status for 18 months, but does not make them permanent residents. Instead, recipients can work legally and renew driver licenses while being shielded from deportation.

Immigration officials first granted the status to undocumented Nicaraguans and Hondurans after Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Salvadorans living in the United States received the protection in 2001, after two deadly earthquakes hit their country. The status typically lasts for 12 to 18 months, but has been renewed many times for the three groups.

Some beneficiaries say they would prefer to have their immigration status resolved once and for all, perhaps under proposed immigration changes being considered by Congress. Many men and women holding the temporary status were among the crowds that marched for a legalization plan in Miami and Belle Glade this week.

"It's very frustrating. Every year it's the same thing," said Juan Vasquez, vice president of the Nicaraguan Organization of Palm Beach County, of the renewal process. Hondurans, for example, have already renewed their status seven times. "Those who have temporary protected status feel established [in the United States]. They feel some how they will receive residency. This is the hope."

Jose Cerrato, president of the Honduran Organization of Palm Beach County, said Central American immigrant groups from across the United States had been talking with officials in their home countries to pressure the White House for the extension.

"We feel a lot of compassion for other nationalities that don't have this status, but this makes us very happy," he said.

The government can award temporary protected status to immigrants from countries struggling with civil strife or the aftermath of natural disasters. Haitian-American leaders have long insisted their communities also qualify for the relief, but to no avail. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, plagued by gang violence, kidnappings and deforestation.

"Although Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador have made significant progress in their recovery and rebuilding efforts, each country continues to face social and economic challenges in their efforts to restore their nations to normalcy," said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services director Emilio Gonzalez.

The agency said it would announce later when the re-registration period begins.

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