In a move to address the ongoing armed conflict and human rights abuses in Cameroon, the United States announced on Friday the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroonian nationals residing in the country. The designation, which was set to expire, has been extended through June 7, 2025, providing temporary deportation relief and work permits for eligible individuals, including Cameroonian students.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the decision to extend TPS for Cameroonians was driven by the armed conflict and the dire conditions prevailing in the Central African country. The TPS program offers protection to immigrants who are unable to return to their home countries due to extraordinary circumstances, ensuring their safety and granting them the ability to legally work in the United States.

Cameroonians were initially granted TPS status last year, recognizing the dangerous situation in their home country. The conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, where separatist groups have been fighting against the French-speaking government since 2017, has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. The separatists are seeking to establish an independent state known as Ambazonia. Additionally, the region is also grappling with an insurgency by the Islamist group Boko Haram.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the United States’ commitment to provide safety and protection to Cameroonian nationals who are unable to return home due to the ongoing armed conflict and the prevailing extraordinary and temporary conditions, including human rights abuses.

The extension of TPS for Cameroonians will benefit the 2,090 individuals currently under the program, allowing them to remain in the United States until June 7, 2025. Moreover, an estimated 7,900 additional Cameroonians in the United States will now have the opportunity to apply for TPS, offering them the chance to seek protection and work legally.

The decision to extend TPS for Cameroonians demonstrates the United States’ recognition of the need for humanitarian assistance and support for those affected by the conflict and human rights violations. It provides a temporary respite for Cameroonian nationals who would otherwise face the risk of deportation to a country engulfed in violence and instability.

The extension of TPS for Cameroonians underscores the United States’ commitment to upholding its humanitarian principles and offering a safe haven for those fleeing extraordinary circumstances. The move also sends a message of solidarity with the people of Cameroon, as the international community works towards finding lasting solutions to the conflict and promoting human rights in the country.

Source: Reuters