Between it is Syria and Yemen. U.S. extends work permits to immigrants from 7 countries

Organizations and associations warn that ending protection could leave hundreds of thousands at risk of deportation or loss of their sources of income (Associated Press)

US President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday extended work permits for hundreds of thousands of migrants covered by the Temporary Protected Status program, hours before their permits were due to expire, giving them an additional time to continue working legally in the United States.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security said work permits for Haitian immigrants covered by the program will remain valid until July 24, while work permits for citizens of Ethiopia, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, SouthSudan and Myanmar will be valid for up to an additional week.

The decision comes a month after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Trump administration to end temporary protection status for citizens of Haiti and Syria, raising widespread fears that hundreds of thousands of migrants could lose their right to work and protection from deportation.

The Temporary Protected Status Program allows persons within the United States to reside and work legally if their countries of origin are experiencing natural disasters, armed conflicts, or exceptional circumstances that prevent their safe return.

Concerns and criticisms

The prospect of expiration of work permits has drawn criticism from human rights groups and a number of community representatives, who have warned that ending protection could leave hundreds of thousands at risk of deportation or loss of their sources of income.

U.S. administration labor unions have also called for the permits to be extended, warning that their revocation could lead to labor market disruptions and affect sectors that depend on the workers covered by the program.

The move comes in the context of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policy, which has included tightening immigration procedures, imposing new fees on some visa applications, and expanding the scope of scrutiny of applicants’ social media accounts.

The administration says the measures are aimed at enhancing homeland security and protecting job opportunities for U.S. citizens, while rights groups say tightening immigration policies raises concerns about immigrant rights and due process, as well as the risk of discrimination against certain minorities.