WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) issued the statement below following the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s announcement it will designate Ukrainians for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
“Granting Temporary Protected Status to Ukrainians currently in the U.S. is the right thing to do,” said Klobuchar. “I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues this week to urge the administration to take this step because we must do our part to ensure Ukrainians are not forced to return home as Putin attacks their country. We must stand with the people of Ukraine.”
Earlier this week, Klobuchar joined a bipartisan group in calling on the Biden administration to extend TPS protections to Ukrainian nationals living in the U.S.
Established by Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS is a temporary, renewable status that provides relief from deportation and access to a work permit for foreign nationals unable to return safely to their home country due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions. Administrations of both parties have granted TPS to those fleeing conflicts, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises.
In February, Klobuchar highlighted the importance of U.S.-European unity and cooperation to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression at a Munich Security Conference panel discussion. Klobuchar was joined by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
In January, Klobuchar traveled to Ukraine with a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and reaffirm the U.S.’ strong bipartisan commitment to a sovereign Ukraine.
# # #