Call to Action: National Call-In Day for TPS for Syria

Join us for a National Call-In Day for TPS for Syria on January 17. Call your Representative and Senators at (202) 224-3121 to ask that they issue a statement and make a call to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in support of the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrians, ahead of the decision by DHS on January 30. #SaveTPS Sample Script For Your Calls: I'm calling to ask [Representative/Senator name] as [his/her] constituent to issue a statement, as well as to make a call to DHS, in support of the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrians, ahead of the decision by DHS on January 30. TPS is a temporary program that allows individuals already living inside of the United States to receive protection when their designated countries face ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Syria was first designated for TPS in March 2012. As the country's citizens continued to be faced with egregious war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II, TPS was extended and redesignated for the country three times thereafter. Today, the State Department tells us in its latest travel warning dated last week: "No part of Syria is safe from violence." Aerial bombardment, sieges, and chemical weapons attacks continue. Syrians who have peaceful political opinions contrary to the government are subjected to forced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, and unspeakable torture. Inside the country, access to food, water, and medical care is limited; even the United Nations' humanitarian plan for the country is only 51 percent funded. Sending the 6,900 Syrian TPS holders, all of whom are vetted every 18 months, subjected to extensive background checks inside the United States, and contribute to our economy in significant ways, would be tantamount to sending them to their death sentence. I urge the [Representative/Senator name] to issue a statement today and for [him/her] to call on DHS to make this life-saving TPS extension and redesignation today. I would be more than happy to provide you with any additional information should you need it. Thank you so much for your time.