Upper Marlboro, MD - Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, released this statement following the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate the Temporary Protected Status(TPS) program for Salvadorans:

“It has been clear since the beginning of his campaign that President Donald Trump was intent on waging an aggressive war on our nation’s immigrant communities.  His hardline anti-immigrant campaign rhetoric has transitioned into immigration policy that is disrespectful and inhumane.  These policies are un-American, and harmful to families and communities impacting our economy around the country, as well as here in Prince George’s County.

The Trump Administration’s decision to eliminate Temporary Protected Status – or “TPS” – for Salvadorans follows similar actions the administration has taken against Haitians, Nicaraguans and other immigrant communities.  The State of Maryland, the National Capital Region, and Prince George’s County are home to thousands of Salvadorans and TPS holders, whose families have called America home for decades.  Now we are slamming the door of opportunity after years of welcoming them in.  An estimated 35,000 Salvadorans with TPS reside in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia, and could be placed in deportation proceedings when TPS is canceled. 

According to the Migration Policy Institute, the top four counties with Central American immigrants from the 2011-15 period were Los Angeles County in California, Harris County in Texas, Miami-Dade County in Florida, and Prince George’s County. These four counties together accounted for about 30 percent of the total Central American immigrant population in the United States.

I have always said that our strength is our diversity, so it is incumbent upon all Prince Georgians to stand up for the rights of our friends, neighbors, and co-workers who are in jeopardy of losing their immigration status.  Their loss is our loss.  We must support Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin’s efforts to pass the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency (SECURE) Act.  This legislation would allow qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients to apply for legal permanent residency.

Prince George’s County stands in solidarity with our Salvadoran and immigrant communities, and is proud to be apart of the Cities for Action initiative. The Cities for Action mission is to create stronger and safer cities and counties by driving the national debate, embracing new immigrants, and engaging with stakeholders to win on immigration policies. 

We will continue our support of community partners who provide resources and assistance to our immigrant communities and support initiatives, such as the Immigrant Services and Language Access Initiative (ISLA)—a partnership between the Prince George’s County Council, County Government, the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (CAIR), the Vera Institute of Justice, and CASA de Maryland. County residents who are detained and are facing deportation may be eligible for free legal services as part of the County’s ISLA initiative. 

We are a County of tolerance toward all of our residents no matter their ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or immigration status.  Our diverse tapestry of cultures and neighborhoods is good for our economy, our education system, and our quality of life.  We will continue our vigilance against policies that uproot families and have devastating impacts on valuable members of our community.”

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