On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined by 30 Senate colleagues, reintroduced the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act in the U.S. Senate. This legislation aims to provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency (green cards) for qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients.
The bill’s reintroduction comes in response to the Trump administration’s aggressive actions and U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have severely undermined TPS, a humanitarian program that has long offered refuge to individuals fleeing natural disasters, violence, and political instability in countries such as Nepal, Venezuela, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Cameroon.
Senator Van Hollen emphasized, “This bill offers much-needed certainty to TPS and DED recipients – providing a path to stay safely in the U.S. and continue to call America their home.”
During the Trump administration, TPS designations for approximately 563,000 individuals from five countries—Venezuela, Haiti, Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Nepal—were revoked, stripping legal protections from these immigrants. Despite legal challenges, the Supreme Court temporarily upheld these terminations, placing hundreds of thousands at risk of deportation to dangerous conditions in their home countries.
TPS, a temporary legal status granted for periods of six to 18 months, protects foreign citizens endangered by extraordinary events like armed conflict or environmental disasters, requiring periodic reapplication and background checks. DED, a discretionary presidential stay of removal, similarly shields individuals from unsafe conditions but lacks a statutory basis. The SECURE Act seeks to address the uncertainty faced by these communities, including an estimated 7,500 Nepali TPS holders, by offering a stable, permanent solution.
The SECURE Act outlines comprehensive provisions to support TPS and DED recipients. Eligible individuals, including current and former TPS or DED holders who have resided in the U.S. for at least three years, can apply for green cards. Spouses, domestic partners, children, or unmarried children meeting specific requirements would also qualify.
Those with pending TPS applications would receive work permits and travel authorization, while individuals eligible for permanent status under the bill would be shielded from deportation. The legislation further ensures that application information is protected from use in immigration enforcement, except in cases of fraud, and requires the Department of Homeland Security to justify TPS terminations to Congress, enhancing accountability.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) noted, “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to give TPS and DED recipients a path to permanent residence so they can continue to contribute to America.”
The bill has garnered robust support from labor unions, immigrant advocacy groups, and community organizations, including the AFL-CIO, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), CASA, National TPS Alliance, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Communities United for Status and Protection (CUSP).
Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President, stated, “The SECURE Act is common-sense legislation that would provide TPS holders with stable, permanent lawful status.” Similarly, Cathryn Jackson of CASA highlighted the bill’s role in offering “dignity, safety, and security” to immigrant communities. These endorsements underscore the critical contributions of TPS and DED recipients, who work in industries like construction and healthcare, with about one-third of TPS holders employed in construction, according to LIUNA.
Despite widespread support, the SECURE Act faces significant challenges in a Republican-majority Senate, where immigration reform has historically met resistance. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) emphasized the bill’s importance in countering the Trump administration’s “cruelty” and providing “security and certainty” to TPS holders who have rebuilt their lives in the U.S. However, political divisions and competing priorities may complicate its passage.
For TPS and DED recipients, including those from Nepal, the legislation represents a lifeline to escape the limbo of temporary status and secure permanent residency, enabling them to continue contributing to their communities without fear of deportation. As Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) stated, “Senate Democrats are fighting back to protect these vulnerable families.”
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
