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Biden grant of 18-month deportation reprieve for Cameroonian nationals in the U.S. gets local applause
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Apr 15, 2022
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By
Arun Venugopal
Published Apr 15, 2022
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The Biden administration Friday granted "temporary protected status" to Cameroonian nationals in the United States, allowing them to remain here for up to 18 months without fear of being deported to their violence-torn nation.
Serges Demefack — a Cameroonian community leader and coordinator of the End Detention and Deportation Project for the American Friends Service Committee in Newark — welcomed the move, which comes as conflict in the west-central African nation has led to extensive human rights abuses and thousands of deaths.
“We hope that the administration continues to take these momentous steps to help dismantle the anti-Black sentiment within the immigration system and we encourage similar actions for other Black and brown nations experiencing conflict,” Demefack said in a statement.
An estimated 40,000 Cameroonians live in the U.S. Some 1,375 Cameroon-born residents live in New York City, according to Census data.
The granting of TPS by the Department of Homeland Security will allow Cameroonians to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation for the next 18 months.
The announcement was welcomed by many immigrant rights advocates, who have noted that Ukrainians received similar protections on March 3, just days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, betraying what they said was a double standard. Cameroonians in the U.S. have long sought such protection.
Violence in Cameroon by both separatist groups and government forces led to 4,000 civilian deaths since 2016, according to Human Rights Watch.
“Cameroonian nationals currently residing in the U.S. who cannot safely return due to the extreme violence perpetrated by government forces and armed separatists, and a rise in attacks led by Boko Haram, will be able to remain and work in the United States until conditions in their home country improve,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a statement.
Cameroonians in the U.S. have told human rights groups they fled their country to escape violence, including mass killings, rape and torture. Human Rights Watch says hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the violence.
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immigration policy
biden
State Department
Arun Venugopal
Arun Venugopal is a senior reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist Race & Justice Unit who focuses on issues of race and bias in our region. His reporting also tackles the topics of immigration, faith, and inequality. Arun serves as the regular fill-in host of the station's "U.S. of Anxiety" program. Arun was the creator and host of Micropolis, a series about race and identity. He is a contributor to NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He has appeared on PBS Newshour, On the Media and Studio 360, and has been published in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and Salon. He also frequently serves as an emcee and moderator of panel discussions on race, religion, and identity issues and has been a guest host of NPR's "Fresh Air." He lives with his family in Queens.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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