FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 24, 2015

 Contact: Mary Tablante;

 (202) 706-6768;

[email protected]

National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) commends the

Department of Homeland Security for granting Temporary Protected Status to Nepal

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) commends the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson for granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Nepal. DHS made the official announcement today to grant TPS, a temporary form of humanitarian relief, effective June 24, 2015 through Dec. 24, 2016.

On April 25, 2015, Nepal experienced a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and aftershocks in the following weeks. These disasters killed and injured thousands of people and have damaged the country's infrastructure.

TPS will allow citizens of Nepal who live in the United States to continue working to support their families after their visas expire. Nepali nationals will be granted work authorization and be protected from deportation, allowing them to send remittances to Nepal.

"We sincerely thank DHS for granting TPS to Nepal and are grateful for the work of the members of Congress and partner organizations who pushed for TPS, including Adhikaar, Senators Hirono, Schumer and Blumenthal and Representatives Meng, Honda and Crowley, " said Gregory Cendana, chair of NCAPA and executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. "TPS will help the Nepali community rebuild in this devastating time."

"We are extremely grateful DHS has designated TPS for Nepal. Our families, friends and community partners can now focus on rebuilding," said Luna Ranjit, executive director of Adhikaar, an organization that promotes human rights and social justice for Nepali communities. "An estimated 10,000 to 25,000 nationals of Nepal will be eligible to benefit from TPS. Adhikaar is working with the New York Immigration Coalition to coordinate with legal services providers to support in the application process. We will begin outreach to our communities and provide support to applicants. "

In May, Adhikaar and NCAPA wrote a letter urging DHS to grant TPS to Nepal. The letter was signed by 127 organizations and individuals.

Temporary Protected Status is designated to countries due to conditions that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely. More information about TPS and the application process for work authorization can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

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The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), founded in 1996, is a coalition of 34 national Asian Pacific American organizations. Based in Washington D.C., NCAPA serves to represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA & NHPI) communities and to provide a national voice on policy issues and priorities.