COLUMBIA HEIGHTS – Last night marked a significant victory as the Columbia Heights City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution supporting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ecuador. The legislation would allow Ecuadorians already in the U.S. to stay and legally work for as long as the TPS designation is active. The TPS Collective, comprised of COPAL Members, have been a driving force, actively mobilizing support for Ecuadorian immigrants and spearheading efforts to prompt City Councils across Minnesota to consider resolutions advocating for TPS for Ecuador.
Ecuadorians are being displaced from their home country at an alarming rate due to natural disasters, an economic downturn, severe political unrest, and civil armed conflict. In Minnesota, the number of asylum cases in immigration court originating from Ecuador jumped by 900% in the last five years. Minnesota now has the 10th highest Ecuadorian population in the United States.
Extending TPS safeguards to Ecuadorians will ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of individuals and families. It will contribute to the overall stability and economic growth of our country, bolster supportive communities, and mitigate the impact of forced migration. Supporters of TPS spoke about the additional impacts it will have in Minnesota.
“I have lived here in Columbia Heights with my wife and children for over 30 years. Although I pay taxes and fulfill the obligations of this country, I have not been able to retire or obtain any benefits to which I would normally be entitled, because I am undocumented,” shared José Narvaez, a member of the TPS Collective. “I have considered returning to Ecuador on several occasions, but the crime and social and economic instability that plague my country are worsening. If I return, I know that my life and that of my family would be in danger.”
To ensure temporary immigration protections for Ecuadorians in Minnesota, Minnesota cities must call for action from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The department may designate a country for TPS when conditions prevent that country’s nationals from returning safely. St. Paul and Minneapolis are slated to vote on TPS Resolutions for Ecuador soon, with St. Paul’s vote scheduled for May 15 and Minneapolis’ for May 23.
COPAL Education Fund is a statewide, 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization that works to build collective power, transform systems, and create opportunities for Latines to have dignified lives in Minnesota. For more information, please visit www.copalmn.org.