A number of immigrant New Yorkers, including our client, “Maria,” were recently interviewed by THE CITY about their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a form of immigration relief given to certain individuals who cannot return to their country of origin due to ongoing conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary reasons.

THE CITY estimates there are 15,000 immigrant New Yorkers with TPS, many of whom are facing an uncertain future because a federal judge could imminently rule that the Trump administration acted within its power to end the federal program for immigrants from some nations in 2017. With that ruling, thousands of immigrant New Yorkers’ right to live in the U.S. legally would cease, after spending years building lives in the U.S. and working legally, and be forced to return to the grueling conditions in the nations they left.

“It’s the American dream. It’s tranquility. After being here all this time, I think that once I have it, I can finally say that it’s over. I’m OK now.” said Maria, on her hope to become a permanent resident of the U.S., a country she’s called home since 1995.