Washington grants “temporary protection” status to Cameroonian nationals
US Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorkas, April 8, 2022 in New York.
Getty Images via AFP - MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO
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The US Department of Homeland Security announced in a press release on Friday that the United States is now granting "temporary protection" status to Cameroonian nationals living on their territory.
This status, valid for 18 months, offers Cameroonian nationals, who arrived in the United States from April 14, the possibility of applying for political asylum.
It is also the recognition, for Washington, of the seriousness of the security situation in Cameroon.
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"
The United States recognizes the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon
," said Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security.
In his press release, he mentions the different types of "
extreme violence
" that Cameroonians are experiencing today, perpetrated by armed separatist groups, by Boko Haram terrorists, but also by government armed forces.
Cameroonian nationals currently residing in the US who cannot safely return due to the extreme violence perpetrated by government forces and armed separatists...
— Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) April 15, 2022
The United States grants Temporary Protected Status in three cases: environmental disasters, armed conflict, and extraordinary and temporary conditions.
These last two cases were selected for Cameroon.
This decision comes after several months of advocacy by human rights NGOs.
In early February, Human Rights Watch released a report titled “How Can You Send Us Back” on the fate of Cameroonians deported by the United States.
It details in particular the abuse they suffered upon their return.
Despite the deterioration of the security situation in Cameroon, during the Trump administration, US courts have steadily reduced the number of asylums granted to Cameroonian applicants, which fell by 24% between 2019 and 2020.
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To read also: Cameroonian asylum seekers tortured in Cameroon and mistreated in the United States
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United States
International Migrations
Cameroon