As Yolanda anniversary draws closer, PHL follows up TPS for undocumented Pinoys in US

As the first anniversary of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) draws closer, the Philippines urged the United States anew to approve Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for undocumented Filipinos there.

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario relayed the request in a letter to US State Secretary John Kerry, the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C. said Thursday.

"I take this opportunity to once again reiterate the Philippine government’s request for the US government's immediate positive consideration of the request," a tweet by the embassy quoted del Rosario as saying in his letter.

Del Rosario said many Filipinos in the US were affected by Yolanda, and this humanitarian assistance "would provide temporary relief for them."

The secretary said TPS approval would alleviate the plight of some 200,000 undocumented Filipinos in US eligible under the program.

He added TPS approval would ease the strain Yolanda rebuilding efforts would place on Philippine infrastructure and resources.

Last August, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials indicated the US government was still evaluating whether to place the Philippines under TPS.

The US Department of Homeland Security officials also admitted they still have no timetable on when they will arrive at a decision.

“This is a matter that is under consideration by Secretary Jeh Johnson. There are no specific deadlines but this does require the kind of outreach, time and consideration that it is being given,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin said, according to a news release of the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C.

Manila had requested that the Philippines be placed under TPS in the wake of Yolanda's devastation. Yolanda had left more than 6,000 dead.

Filipino community leaders said approval of the TPS request would help the Philippines strengthen its capacity to respond to similar disasters in the future.

They added the ongoing recovery effort in the affected areas is putting a strain on the resources of the Philippines, noting the US Agency for International Development figures show more than two million survivors are still without durable shelter.

TPS

The US Customs and Immigration Services said the DHS may designate a country for TPS "due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately."

It said TPS may be [given] to eligible nationals of certain countries who are already in the US.

The Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to the following temporary conditions including an "environmental disaster" such as earthquake or hurricane.

During a designated period, TPS beneficiaries or those preliminarily eligible for TPS upon initial review of their cases are: