Nevada Leaders Blast Trump Over Decision To Kick Out Salvadorans

NEVADA -- President Donald Trump's decision to lift the protected status for 200,000 El Salvador immigrants who came to the U.S. in 2001 received criticism Monday from Nevada's congressional members. The three Democrats in the House of Representatives blasted the administration, while the lone Republican representing Nevada said he was studying the issue.

The Trump administration announced it is planning to revoke temporary protective status for about 200,000 Salvadorans who came to the United States after earthquakes devastated their country in 2001. They will have 18 months before they have to leave the country.

About 6,000 Salvadorans live in Nevada, according to the Center for Migration Studies.

Rep. Ruben Kihuen called the decision "short-sighted" and "cruel," and asked for a long-term solution.

"Today's decision to end the Temporary Protected Status program for El Salvador is yet another cruel and short-sighted example of anti-immigrant fervor that drives this administration's decisions and creates chaos for hundreds of thousands of innocent families," Kihuen said. "Nearly 6,000 Salvadorans currently benefit from TPS in Nevada, where they contribute an estimated $255 million to the state's economy. These figures are but a fraction of the economic benefit provided by all TPS recipients, not to mention the immeasurable familial and cultural ties these immigrants have to our country."

Rep. Jacky Rosen called the decision "unconscionable."

"This administration's cruel decision to end TPS will upend lives and cause unnecessary instability, leaving the lives of tens of thousands of Salvadorans and their families across the country hanging int he balance," Rosen said.

In a tweet, Rep. Dina Titus said it was "more hate" from Trump.

-- Patch reporter Cody Fenwick contributed to this report

--Photo: CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization, holds a rally in Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in reaction to the announcement regarding Temporary Protective Status for people from El Salvador. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Trump To End Protections For 200,000 Salvadorans