President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025, and with a little over a month away from his new presidency, the U.S. immigrant community is bracing for another Trump term.
His campaign has once again centered around carrying out mass deportations and eradicating Temporary Protection Status or TPS. The latter currently assists approximately 860,000 people who have fled their countries due to political persecution, environmental disaster or armed conflict.
Countries designated to have TPS protection include Afghanistan, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, El Salvador, Ukraine and Venezuela, to name a few. The biggest TPS populations are in California, Florida, Texas, New York and New Jersey.
According to the National Immigration Forum, New Jersey is home to 31,480 TPS immigrants. Most of them have origins in El Salvador or Nicaragua. Both countries have a long-standing history of armed conflict although Nicaragua earned TPS status due to Hurricane Mitch in 1999.
(Grace Gonzales | SOC Images)
This new administration poses more than a threat to organizations like the Comité en Unión para Los Salvadoreños, or CEUS. According to Executive Director Blanca Molina, Trump will give them “the greatest amount of work they’d ever had to do, but with no solution in sight.”
Yet, CEUS remains committed to finding answers to this new problem.
CEUS is based in Union City and currently provides English classes and legal services. It is also a community center where not only Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries come together but also people from Nicaragua, Venezuela or any immigrant in need of help.
(Grace Gonzales | SOC Images)
Molina is one of the founders of CEUS. This non-profit was created in 1993 to assist a newly created community of Salvadorians fleeing the Civil War. El Salvador was the first country to have TPS protections granted in 1990.
TPS was the first country-specific immigration program in the U.S. Before its conception, there was no standard system for immigrants fleeing persecution. People who emigrated from El Salvador in the 1980s did not have protections and could be sent home arbitrarily.
The TPS program passed around the time Molina decided she had to move.
“I was about to finish college circa 1989 when a fight erupted between the militia and the guerilla. A few of my classmates disappeared and that’s when I started thinking about moving.”
She initially moved to California and then settled in New Jersey. While working with the American Friends Service Committee, Molina learned about organized assistance to immigrants. She saw the need for a place that serves her community but is also run by people who understand that experience.
CEUS participates in Washington DC March for NARCA law. (Grace Gonzales | SOC Images)CEUS advocacy through the years. (Grace Gonzales | SOC Images)Molina during CEUS first years. (Grace Gonzales | SOC Images)(Grace Gonzales | SOC Images)
Since its start, CEUS has focused on policy work. They have a record of participating in canvassing for TPS benefits, recognition, and securities.
“We were part of a coalition that protested and advocated in Washington for the NACARA law,” Molina said.
The NACARA law went into effect on Nov. 19, 1997. It provides immigration relief to any person with a refugee or protection status. It is also a pathway to obtaining a Green Card.
CEUS has survived different administrations by adapting its services and empathizing with its community.
Molina said she “understands the distrust some people might feel from the government,” which may prevent them from demanding more or making their voices heard. Nonetheless, CEUS plans to continue providing the solutions that are within reach while implementing new forms of advocacy.
Proyecto Buena Salud. (Photo courtesy of CEUS).Guest lawyer answers questions about labor rights. (Photo courtesy of CEUS).Advertisement for Proyecto Buena Salud. (Photo courtesy of CEUS).
“Currently we have two outreach programs, Proyecto Buena Salud and Conozca Sus Derechos,” said Program Administrator Hugh Morley.
Proyecto Buena Salud provides health services through community health workers who act as a bridge between the immigrant community and the healthcare sector. This project started in 2021 after the pandemic when “the government was looking for organizations that could reach hard-to-reach communities,” said Morley.
Given its success, CEUS has expanded this program and now provides COVID-19 vaccines and/or flu shots at least once a month. They also have information for undocumented immigrants wanting to know more about healthcare options.
The “Conozca Sus Derechos Laborales” or “Know Your Labor Rights” aims to educate the TPS people about their work rights.
Community member with residency papers. (Photo courtesy of CEUS).
A study conducted by the Heldrich Center For Workforce Development revealed as of 2020, only 52% of low-wage workers are aware of their paid sick leave benefits. CEUS workers see this margin as much lower for the community they serve.
Morley states, “immigrants have a right to Earned Sick Leave, Temporary Disability, overtime, and minimum wage.” Oftentimes he hears that “workers who are reluctant to ask their boss for these benefits because they are told they don’t do that here. And basically, playing on the fear of losing the job. But these are state laws.”
“Immigrants have a right to Earned Sick Leave, Temporary Disability, overtime, and minimum wage.”
CEUS worker explains healthcare information. (Photo courtesy of CEUS).
Preparing For The Future
CEUS holds frequent talks featuring immigration lawyers and/or experts on the subjects. These Q&As will become “more needed,” according to Molina.
There will be other projects and community-based action taking place in the upcoming months. “We are organizing,” said Molina. Much of it is undisclosed but its main goal is to counter setbacks from the Trump administration.
“We are small and the problem at hand is big, but we’re here to help them,” concluded Molina.
CEUS offices are open weekdays, except on Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
You can inquire about their services and events at 201-617-2466 or email info@ceusnj.org. You can also visit their website https://ceusnj.org/ for updates.
“Opening up [KAM Dance Academy] meant a lot just because of my background. I’m Latina and, for me, bringing arts to different communities is really important,” Madan said.
People and places around New Jersey have been working this past week to pass a bill to promote safety, encourage college students to apply for free financial aid and even help residents clean up their Christmas decorations.
“And now I feel very close to all of them because I’m able to spend time here and my son now has been here so long that everyone remembers him as well,” Jersey City owner Chris said.
