Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients

December 8, 2020

Dear Breakthrough community members,

On Friday, December 4th, 2020, a federal judge ordered the full reinstatement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program prior to September 5, 2017. While the DACA program has been heavily contested in multiple litigation filings over the last four years, including and most prominently in the Supreme Court of the United States in June of this year, we are relieved this ruling’s full restoration of the program will allow for undocumented youth and families to realize their full potential in our country. 

Furthermore, yesterday’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updates also extended documents for Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan, provided that the affected beneficiaries remain individually eligible for TPS into October 2021. Like DACA beneficiaries, thousands of TPS recipients and their families who reside right here in Central Texas provide invaluable contributions to our classrooms and communities. 

We continue to affirm the humanity and dignity of all our community members, DACA/TPS recipients and not, who have a right to safety from deportation and detention and to access opportunities in education and employment that allow them to thrive in our society. Part of Breakthrough’s commitment to our students and families includes supporting all new and current applications to prevent a lapse in status and providing annual financial support for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) renewal fees, as well as access to free immigration legal aid through our relationship with Catholic Charities Central Texas to support renewal applications.

According to the newly updated guidance, USCIS will immediately begin the following:

• Accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
• Accepting DACA renewal requests based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
• Accepting applications for advance parole documents based on the terms of the DACA policy prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
• Extending one-year grants of deferred action under DACA to two years; and
• Extending one-year employment authorization documents under DACA to two years.

If you have additional questions or need guidance related to the recent court decision, please consult with legal counsel directly. Breakthrough has coordinated a partnership with Catholic Charities Central Texas to offer free immigration legal aid to our students and families, as do a growing number of institutions of higher education and community-based organizations locally and across the nation. For more information about this service, please contact your Breakthrough advisor or visit: https://www.ccctx.org/immigration-legal-services/ 

September 17, 2020

Breakthrough Central Texas is committed to supporting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and their families during this challenging time and providing legal assistance and representation via Catholic Charities to those who seek a pathway to permanent residency in the United States. According to the Texas Tribune, “about 45,000 people from El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti lived in Texas under the program, according to a report by the Center for American Progress. Those families had a combined 53,800 U.S. citizen children, according to the [2017] report.”

Like DACA beneficiaries, thousands of TPS recipients and their families who reside right here in Central Texas provide invaluable contributions to our classrooms and communities. We are concerned that yesterday’s ruling threatens to disrupt the educational aspirations of thousands of children and the wellbeing of their families.  

All Breakthrough Central Texas families needing immigration counsel are encouraged to contact the Catholic Charities to schedule a free consultation with an attorney on their team. Please contact your Breakthrough advisor for an authorization letter to help schedule a consultation by calling their main line at 512-651-6125 and leave a voicemail, or emailing at ils-reception@ccctx.org.