Senate Democrats have introduced a new bill aimed at providing long-term protection to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who lost their legal status under the Trump administration.
The Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act would offer a path to permanent residency for those covered under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs. However, with both chambers of Congress under Republican control, the bill’s future remains uncertain.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration rolled back TPS and DED protections, arguing the programs were being misused to keep immigrants from countries like Venezuela, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Nepal in the U.S. longer than necessary. The Supreme Court has upheld the administration’s right to end some of these protections, leaving many immigrants at risk of deportation.
What’s in the Bill
Introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and backed by 30 Democratic lawmakers, the SECURE Act would:
- Allow TPS and DED recipients who have lived in the U.S. for five years or more to apply for green cards.
- Extend eligibility to spouses, domestic partners, and children of applicants who meet certain criteria.
- Grant work authorization and permit international travel while applications are being processed.
- Require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to notify Congress and provide justification before revoking protected status.
Current Landscape
The DHS, under Secretary Kristi Noem, has moved to end TPS protections for several countries in 2025, including Venezuela, Haiti, Cameroon, Afghanistan, and Nepal. Supporters of the SECURE Act argue that many of these countries are still grappling with the same dangerous conditions that originally prompted U.S. protections.
Without congressional action, nearly 500,000 TPS recipients could face deportation in the near future.
What Lawmakers and Advocates Are Saying
Sen. Chris Van Hollen:
“TPS and DED recipients have built their lives in America — living here legally for years and contributing to our communities. Forcing them to return to unstable and dangerous countries is not just cruel, it’s wrong. This bill would give them a path to safety and stability.”
Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President:
“TPS holders are vital members of our unions and our economy. The SECURE Act is common-sense legislation that would offer these workers the permanent legal status they deserve.”
Critics of the bill, including members of the Trump administration and DHS, argue that conditions in many of the protected countries have improved and that it’s time for TPS recipients to return home.
What’s Next
Although the bill has support from 30 senators, its path through the Senate and Republican-controlled House remains uncertain. If passed, the legislation would represent a major shift in immigration policy, offering stability to hundreds of thousands of immigrants living and working legally in the U.S. for years.
