TPS for Ukraine should be part of a broader vision of humanitarian protection—regardless of race

By Sarah Decker and Daniel Tse

By granting Temporary Protection Status to Ukrainian refugees who have fled their war-torn homeland, the Biden administration has sent a clear message that it is prioritizing humanitarian protection for victims of war and disaster.

Just not across the board.

With the Biden administration official revealing Thursday that the U.S. will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians and other people fleeing the conflict with Russia, it is vital to remember that Black refugees are also seeking safety from armed conflict and have been denied similar treatment.

As an organization dedicated to Robert F. Kennedy’s vision of a better, more just and equal world, we feel compelled to speak out on this subject, calling on the Biden administration to respond to repeated pleas to grant TPS to Cameroonian nationals such a designation.

Daily Show host Trevor Noah aptly put it: “It's great to see Ukraine's neighbors welcoming refugees with open arms. But it's worth taking a look at why refugees from Africa and the Middle East haven't received the same treatment.”

As Biden seeks to re-establish America's traditional post-war role as the leader of the free world, expanding the country’s network of protection to people fleeing armed conflict could have profound ripple effects.

Thanks to social media, we now have instant access to direct images of Ukrainians risking their lives to seek safety from falling bombs. In real time, we see families torn apart, parents forced to make the impossible choice of sending their children to seek safety in other countries while they remain to fight to protect their homes.

Like Ukraine, Cameroon is also grappling with active armed conflict that has destabilized the nation and caused its people immense suffering.

The parallels between the two countries are striking.