Vision & Policy Recommendations

In the landscape of American immigration policy, few tools are as powerful, flexible, and yet underutilized as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). These humanitarian protections, rooted in executive authority, offer a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of individuals who cannot safely return to their countries of origin. As the Biden administration charts its course on immigration reform, the TPS-DED Administrative Advocacy Coalition presents a vision that places safety, dignity, and strategic foresight at the center of policy. This vision calls for expansive use of TPS and DED as immediate, life-saving measures while longer-term legislative solutions are pursued.

Humanitarian Protection as a Pillar of U.S. Immigration

The U.S. humanitarian immigration system is often understood through the lens of asylum and refugee resettlement. While these pathways are critical, they do not capture the full spectrum of need. TPS and DED serve as essential complements, filling gaps where asylum and refugee systems fall short—whether due to systemic biases, procedural barriers, or the sheer scale of crises. For instance, individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary conditions may not meet the narrow definition of a refugee but still face grave danger if returned. TPS and DED provide a safety net that recognizes these realities.

Unlike legislative immigration reforms, TPS and DED are designated by the executive branch. This means they can be implemented swiftly, without the delays and compromises inherent in congressional action. They protect all qualifying nationals from a designated country, regardless of individual circumstances, and they have no numerical caps. This makes them uniquely suited to respond to mass displacement events. The Coalition asserts that these tools must be used expansively, not as a last resort, but as a proactive measure to uphold human dignity.

A Downpayment on Broader Immigration Reform

President Biden has pledged to create a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. This is a monumental undertaking that will require time, negotiation, and political will. In the interim, millions remain vulnerable to deportation to countries where their lives or freedoms would be at risk. TPS and DED offer a bridge: they provide immediate protection and work authorization to those who would eventually benefit from permanent status. This is not a substitute for reform, but a necessary first step—a downpayment on the administration's larger immigration plan.

Consider the impact: a TPS holder from Haiti, for example, can live without constant fear of removal, work legally, and contribute to their community while awaiting a more permanent solution. This stability benefits not only the individual but also their family, employer, and local economy. By expanding TPS and DED, the administration can deliver tangible relief now, demonstrating its commitment to immigrant communities while the legislative process unfolds. The Coalition urges the administration to view these protections as integral to, not separate from, its immigration agenda.

Addressing Root Causes Through Protection

The Biden administration has rightly emphasized the need to address the root causes of migration—poverty, violence, corruption, and instability in sending countries. TPS and DED are powerful tools in this effort. When individuals are protected from deportation, they are not forced to return to countries already struggling with these challenges. Mass deportations can destabilize fragile governments and economies, exacerbating the very conditions that drive migration. By contrast, allowing TPS and DED holders to remain in the U.S. with legal status prevents this destabilization.

Moreover, TPS and DED holders contribute significantly to their home countries through remittances. These financial flows often exceed official foreign aid and provide a lifeline to families and communities. In this sense, TPS and DED function as unofficial foreign aid, supporting development and stability abroad. The existence of DED, in particular, underscores the connection between humanitarian protection and foreign policy. DED is granted under the President's constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations, reflecting a recognition that protecting nationals of certain countries can advance U.S. strategic interests and credibility on the world stage.

Policy Recommendations for the Biden Administration

To realize this vision, the Coalition offers the following concrete recommendations:

• Expand TPS designations to all countries currently experiencing conditions that warrant protection, including those with ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
• Redesignate and extend existing TPS for countries where conditions have not sufficiently improved, ensuring that current beneficiaries do not lose their status prematurely.
• Utilize DED proactively for countries where foreign policy considerations or humanitarian concerns warrant protection, even if they do not meet the statutory criteria for TPS.
• Ensure equitable access to TPS and DED by removing procedural barriers, reducing application fees, and providing robust outreach to affected communities.
• Integrate TPS and DED into broader immigration reform by advocating for legislation that provides a pathway to permanent residency for long-term TPS and DED holders.

These recommendations are not merely aspirational; they are actionable steps that the administration can take immediately. Each one aligns with the President's stated commitments to humanitarian values, family unity, and a fair immigration system.

TPS and DED are not just stopgap measures—they are essential pillars of a humane and strategic immigration policy that protects lives, stabilizes regions, and upholds American values.

The Strategic Value of TPS and DED

Beyond the moral imperative, there is a pragmatic case for expansive use of TPS and DED. These protections allow the U.S. to respond nimbly to evolving crises without waiting for legislative action. In a world where climate change, conflict, and political instability are increasingly driving displacement, the ability to act quickly is invaluable. TPS and DED provide a mechanism for the U.S. to lead by example, demonstrating that humanitarian protection and national interests are not mutually exclusive.

Furthermore, TPS and DED holders are integral members of American society. They are workers, business owners, students, and caregivers. They pay taxes, contribute to Social Security, and enrich their communities. Removing them would not only be a humanitarian tragedy but also an economic self-inflicted wound. By protecting them, the administration invests in the nation's social and economic fabric.

A Call to Action

The TPS-DED Administrative Advocacy Coalition calls on the Biden administration to embrace this vision with urgency and conviction. The tools are available; what is needed is the political will to use them. We urge the administration to:

• Immediately designate TPS for countries that meet the statutory criteria but have not yet been designated.
• Extend and redesignate existing TPS and DED for all eligible countries.
• Work with Congress to pass legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for TPS and DED holders.
• Engage with affected communities to ensure that policies are responsive to their needs and realities.

For more information on the specifics of TPS and DED, visit our What Are TPS & DED? page. To learn about current campaigns and how you can get involved, see our Country-Specific Campaigns page. And for the latest updates and statements, check our Press Releases page.

The time for action is now. By using TPS and DED expansively, the Biden administration can save lives, uphold American values, and lay the groundwork for a more just and humane immigration system. The Coalition stands ready to support these efforts and to hold the administration accountable to its promises.