Tom Tiffany: “This amendment would prohibit the expenditure of funds to extend what is known as temporary protected status, or TPS…”

“This amendment would prohibit the expenditure of funds to extend what is known as temporary protected status, or TPS, for nationals of El Salvador. TPS is a tool provided by Congress that allows for the President, acting through the Department of Homeland Security, to allow foreign nationals to remain temporarily in the United States if conditions in their home country are too dangerous to send them back. The intent was to authorize a short reprieve from removal, with the idea being that the beneficiaries would be repatriated when conditions improved. Unfortunately, however, like so many immigration laws, this narrow authority has been repeatedly abused. Nationals of El Salvador, for example, were granted TPS in the chaotic aftermath of an earthquake. Here is the problem: That earthquake was in 2001, more than two decades ago. Mr. Chair, times have changed. Since 2001, America has had four presidents and El Salvador has had five. El Salvador now boasts the lowest homicide rate of any country in our hemisphere, other than Canada, not to mention a robust tourism ministry that markets whale watching, surfing, gourmet coffee tours, scenic volcano hikes, and posh all-inclusive resorts. Mr. Chair, I am glad that El Salvador has recovered from the 2001 earthquake, and I applaud the progress their leader has made in combating crime and promoting economic reform.…”