At Liberty Live! Kwame Anthony Appiah on Identity and the Law

For many people seeking safety, the journey to winning asylum in the U.S. is long. The ACLU goes behind the scenes of our new series, Letters to America, to reflect on what daily life looks like for individuals building a new home in the States.

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela — impacting more than 900,000 people — through late 2026. The American Civil Liberties Union and partners have been urging President Biden to designate and redesignate eligible countries. TPS protects people who cannot safely return to their country of nationality due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other similar conditions. Today’s actions are especially important ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Trump, who has pledged a mass deportation agenda. “TPS holders — many of whom are longtime residents — live in every corner of this country, contributing to our communities and our economy,” said Maribel Hernández Rivera, ACLU director of policy and government affairs, border and immigration. “As the spouse of a TPS holder from Honduras whose family members have been killed due to ongoing violence, I know firsthand the importance of this protection to keep our loved ones safe, our families together, and our communities thriving. This announcement will help keep families together and shield nearly a million people, if only temporarily, from Trump’s cruel deportation machine. We applaud the Biden administration for taking this monumentally impactful action.”

Jean Paul* fled civil war in Cameroon, risking his life on an arduous journey that included four days spent walking in the Darién Gap, to seek asylum in the U.S. Today, he’s ready to tell his story.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. / HOUSTON / PHOENIX / SAN DIEGO – As people in southern border states brace for harsh and extreme policies targeting immigrants under a second Trump administration, the American Civil Liberties Union’s Border Humanity Project is launching its “Letters to America” campaign today, highlighting the experiences of people who have immigrated to the United States in search of safety. The multimedia campaign uplifts immigrants’ voices – often missing from national discourse around border policy – and elevates the need for balanced and humane immigration policies that treat our immigrant neighbors with dignity. “As the ACLU and its border affiliates prepare for President-elect Trump’s extreme anti-immigrant agenda, we know that part of the fight ahead lies in countering misleading narratives about people who come to the U.S. in search of better lives for themselves and their families,” said Jonathan Blazer, director of border strategies at the ACLU. “For too long, fearmongering about immigrants and cruel partisan politics have shaped how Americans think and speak about border and immigration policy at large. As a result, our nation has forgotten that we’re talking about real people – parents, children, neighbors – who are seeking the safety and protection the U.S. has promised throughout the best of our history. The people and stories at the center of the ‘Letters to America’ campaign are a powerful reminder of what’s at stake in the fight for immigrants’ rights and real border solutions.” About the Letters to America Campaign The Letters to America campaign is a multimedia, multi-platform campaign, with a focus on long- and short-form video content, leading with the stories of people who have fled their homes in Mexico, El Salvador, and Cameroon in search of safety in the United States. Additional highlights of the Letters to America campaign will include: A portrait series of people who are immigrants; Digital paid media placements; and Blog posts elevating immigrant storytellers’ immigration journeys. Background on the ACLU’s Border Humanity Project The Border Humanity Project is a collaboration between the ACLU and the ACLU of Arizona, ACLU of New Mexico, ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, and ACLU of Texas. Our team consists of advocates, litigators, community leaders, and experts who are deeply engaged in defending people’s rights and working towards humane reforms along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border. To learn more, visit https://www.aclu.org/letterstoamerica