Rapid Response Advocacy Organization Lawyers for Good Government Supports TPS for Afghan Refugees

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has designated Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, securing critical protections for over 76,000 Afghan nationals currently living in the U.S.

Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) supports Sec. Mayorkas’ decision to designate Afghanistan as eligible for TPS. In times of crisis, L4GG has mobilized its network of thousands of legal professionals, activists and supporters to provide legal aid to individuals in need, most recently through a pro bono remote legal clinic specifically for Afghan refugees, held this February. The clinic provided assistance to almost 100 Sacramento, California-based Afghan refugees, helping them with asylum and adjustment of status applications. 

The 18-month TPS designation provides the right for Afghan nationals to live and work in the United States for a temporary period. Many of the Afghans risked their lives by working with the U.S. military in Afghanistan and were evacuated with their families to the U.S. after the Afghan government fell last August. 

Mika Fernandez, L4GG’s Vice President of Policy and Strategic Engagement said: 

“We are thrilled that Afghan families now have access to critical protections to live and work in the U.S. through Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Many of these families risked their lives to help the U.S. in Afghanistan, and would be in particular danger if they returned to their home country. As an organization that has consistently been on the frontlines of support for immigrants and refugees, L4GG applauds Sec. Mayorkas’ decision, and believes that all families seeking safety should have the ability to find stability and pursue the next chapter in their lives.”

L4GG is also currently building out a national pro bono clinic to help Ukrainian nationals apply for and secure TPS, in light of the recent designation of Ukraine for TPS on March 3, 2022. For more information, click here.

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Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) coordinates large scale pro bono programs and issue advocacy efforts to protect human rights and ensure equal justice under the law, and has a network of 125,000+ lawyers to assist in its efforts.