US Lawmakers urge Trump to extend TPS status for Cameroonians amid deportation dangers
By Synthia Lateu
Some US senators and members of Congress have called on President Donald Trump to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroonian nationals living in the United States. In a letter dated April 4, which CNA has obtained, the lawmakers emphasised that Cameroon remains an unsafe place for its citizens to return, making it inconsistent with humanitarian principles to do so.
The letter notes the ongoing violence, human rights violations, and humanitarian crises in Cameroon, driven by clashes between Anglophone separatists and government forces in the North-West and South-West regions, leading to unlawful killings, abductions, and widespread human rights abuses. Additionally, the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North region exacerbates instability, disrupting civilian life.
Cameroon was originally designated for TPS on June 7, 2022. The letter further highlights the country’s economic collapse, displacement of citizens, and destruction of infrastructure.
” Continuing TPS protection for Cameroonians already residing in the United States is not only a humanitarian imperative but also aligns with the United States broader interests, including economic stability, security, and regional leadership.” the letter states.
The lawmakers also assert that extending and redesignating TPS for Cameroonian nationals aligns with U.S. national security interests by supporting counterterrorism efforts in the Lake Chad Basin and Central Africa, underscoring that Cameroon remains a crucial partner against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which continue to launch attacks in the region.
The document with ten signatures , highlights the critical humanitarian crisis in Cameroon, with nearly 1 million displaced and over 1.8 million in urgent need, alongside a cholera outbreak and food insecurity. Targeted violence against Christian communities has led to school closures, affecting 250,000 children, reinforcing the perception that it is unsafe for nationals to return, which contradicts humanitarian principles
