Statement from Bitta Mostofi, Acting Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, on Trump Administration Decision on Temporary Protected Status for Syria

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2018
CONTACT: mediabox@moia.nyc.gov, 646-343-7164

"New Yorkers welcome the Trump Administration's decision to provide a common sense extension of Temporary Protected Status for nearly 7,000 Syrians living in the United States today. But Secretary Nielsen's decision to bar an estimated 2,000 Syrians who arrived in the U.S. after August 2016 from applying for this protection blatantly disregards the legal standards for the program. The Administration is talking out of both sides of its mouth and putting people in danger as a result. By recognizing that Syria is not able to safely absorb current TPS recipients, there is no justification for refusing their fellow nationals currently in the United States the same humanitarian relief. Syria is still an active war zone and the threat of harm and violence is vivid. The City will do our utmost to support all New Yorkers who are suffering as a result of the White House's misguided immigration policies, including by connecting people with free legal help. The Trump Administration's failure to recognize that all Syrians unable to return due to crisis conditions there are worthy of protection is simply unconscionable."