Senate Introduces New Bill to Protect Thousands of Migrants From Deportation

The bill, titled the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act, seeks to establish “long-term stability” for immigrants who have benefited from the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs.

The measure would create a path to permanent residency for qualifying individuals, though its future remains uncertain in a Congress where both chambers are controlled by Republicans.

The Trump administration has argued that the TPS program, in particular, has been overextended, accusing the Biden administration of misusing it to allow tens of thousands of immigrants from nations like Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Haiti to remain in the U.S. far longer than originally intended.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government can, in fact, wind down these protections, leaving many immigrants vulnerable to deportation.

Supporters of the SECURE Act say the legislation would address this uncertainty and offer humane solutions for individuals who have built lives in the United States, often over decades, while escaping dangerous conditions in their home countries.

Among the bill’s chief sponsors are Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a prominent critic of President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. The proposed legislation has attracted support from 30 Democratic lawmakers.

Under the SECURE Act, individuals who have held TPS or DED for at least five years would be eligible to apply for permanent residency, along with their spouse, domestic partner, and children, provided they meet certain criteria.

The bill would also allow these applicants to seek work authorization and apply for permission to travel outside the U.S. while their cases are pending.

Typically, TPS designations are granted for 18-month periods, subject to extension or termination by the Secretary of Homeland Security. These protections have often been renewed for certain countries across multiple administrations, including during President Trump’s first term.

However, current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has moved to end TPS protections for nationals from Venezuela, Haiti, Cameroon, Afghanistan, and Nepal since taking office in January.

Notably, the proposed legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide Congress with prior notice and a formal justification whenever it seeks to revoke TPS or DED protections.

At present, approximately 500,000 immigrants living legally in the U.S. under TPS are facing the prospect of removal—many to countries where the dangerous conditions that led to their protected status still persist.

Secretary Noem and other administration officials have argued that the situations in these countries have improved enough to warrant the return of their citizens.

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In a press release, Senator Van Hollen emphasized the moral and practical stakes of the legislation:

“America has long used the TPS and DED programs to offer special legal protections to individuals in the United States whose lives would be put at extreme risk if forced to return to their countries of origin. As they’ve sought safety and stability here, TPS and DED recipients have built new lives in America, living here legally for years—sometimes decades—and making important contributions to our communities. But the Trump administration is threatening both the lives they have built and the safety of these individuals—forcing TPS recipients to return to dangerous places like Haiti, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and more. This bill offers much-needed certainty to TPS and DED recipients—providing a path to stay safely in the U.S. and continue to call America their home.”

Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, echoed those sentiments, stressing the economic and labor implications:

“Immigrant workers are under unprecedented attack: hundreds of thousands of people have been stripped of their legal status and work authorization, throwing families and industries into chaos and uncertainty. Workers with Temporary Protected Status, many of whom have lived and worked in our country for decades, are vital members of our communities and our unions. The SECURE Act is common-sense legislation that would provide TPS holders with stable, permanent lawful status so they can continue to raise their families, work, and contribute to our economy.”

While the SECURE Act has drawn the support of 30 Democratic senators, the legislation faces steep odds in the current political environment. With both the Senate and the House under Republican control, it remains unclear whether the bill will advance out of committee, let alone secure passage in both chambers. Negotiations and amendments are expected as Democrats seek a path forward for the measure.