US grants temporary immigration protection to Cameroonians

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Friday extended temporary protection against deportations to Cameroonians for 18 months.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas cited the country's ongoing conflict as the reason behind his decision to grant what is known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Cameroonian migrants.

"Cameroonian nationals currently residing in the U.S. who cannot safely return due to the extreme violence perpetrated by government forces and armed separatists, and a rise in attacks led by Boko Haram, will be able to remain and work in the United States until conditions in their home country improve,” he said in a statement.

Boko Haram launched a bloody insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 before expanding to neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Only those Cameroonian nationals who resided in the US on or before April 14 are eligible for TPS.

The program prevents an individual from being deported from the US and enables them to apply for work permits. It was designed to provide protection to individuals whose home countries are afflicted by war, natural disasters and other "extraordinary and temporary conditions."