TPS Bus visits Omaha!

Leaders from across the city welcomed the TPS Journey for Justice Caravan on September 4th and 5th. OTOC and the Institute for Public Leadership, along with Tri-Faith Initiative, the Columban Fathers, and the Schlegal Center for Service and Justice sponsored several events to let the Omaha community know what TPS is and invite them to act with us.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a legal immigration status for people in the US who fled environmental disasters such as hurricanes or civil unrest in their home countries. Over 300,000 individuals have TPS which has been in place for decades with no serious legal problems. The Department of Homeland Security has effectively ended TPS for almost all of these tax-paying law-abiding persons, including 1,500 Salvadorans living in Nebraska. Their status will end in 2019 unless Congress acts.

We invite YOU to take action for the TPS holders in our community and across the country by calling your representatives today! Click here for a script.

Tuesday Night Workshop and Table Talk

Over 150 people met at Countryside Community church to welcome the bus riders, learn about what Temporary Protected Status is, and personally meet TPS recipients from Omaha and the bus.

Wednesday Morning Workshop and Press Conference

On Wednesday morning, one hundred people met for a workshop to learn about the economic contributions of TPS to our US economy, and why it doesn’t make sense to deport people. For a presentation about the economic contributions and cost of losing over 300,000 people in the workforce, click here and a full report click here.

Wednesday Evening Interfaith Prayer Service

After visits to the offices of Rep. Don Bacon and Sen. Ben Sasse in the afternoon, local faith leaders and TPS holders led an interfaith prayer service for hope and action. With themes about prophetic hope, protecting families and journeying for justice, over 125 people prayed together for hope and change.