US lawmakers beg Trump to block deportation of 15,700 Cameroonians.

In a letter dated April 4, 2025, a copy of which The Guardian Post has read through, 10 congresspersons wrote to President Trump, asking for the redesignation of Cameroon under the TPS. 

The signatories of the document viz; Senator Chris Van Hollen, Menn Ivey, Senator Tim Kain, Yvette W. Clark, Eleano Holmes Noton, Sheila Cheifilus-McCormick, Marc A. Veasey, Javes Tonleo Paul D. Tonko, Jamie Raskin, and Han Phun Henry paint Cameroon as still being unfavourable for the concerned to return to.

The US lawmakers, in their letter, argued that not much has changed across the restive North West and South West Regions and the Boko Haram-affected Northern regions.

The situations, they wrote, has resulted in the displacements of millions, food insecurity, violation of the right to education alongside other shortcomings. The authors of the letter further noted that Cameroon’s economy has collapsed.

Indicating that their request is urgent, the signatories said their plea for the extension of the TPS is because “ongoing violence, human rights violations, and humanitarian crises in Cameroon continue to place its citizens at severe risk”. 

They further argued that it is a humanitarian imperative and ties with the bigger picture of American interest in areas of economics, peace, stability and leadership.

Having been first designated under TPS on June 7, 2022, based on clashes between separatists and security forces in the English-speaking Regions, plus Boko Haram attacks, the petitioners recall that the US Department of Homeland Security, DHS, during President Joe Biden’s era, renewed the designation. 

This, they noted, was because the situation of things had not changed.

They stated that the “dire situation in Cameroon has not improved”, before citing US State Department 2023 Report on Human Rights Practices for Cameroon as having noted that ‘there was no significant changes in the human rights situation in Cameroon during the year in question’.

In the same piece destined for their leader’s attention, the lawmakers insisted that “the violence from Anglophone separatists and Boko Haram continues to disrupt civilian life. Separatist groups in the North West and South West Regions clash with government forces resulting in unlawful killings, abductions, and widespread human rights violations”.

On the situation of Boko Haram incursions in the Far North Region, they said developments show it “further exacerbates instability”.

Collapse of Cameroon economy 

Further justifying why Cameroonians residing in the US, under the TPS, should not be deported, they said President Paul Biya’s “country has also suffered economic collapse, displacement of citizens, and destruction of infrastructure. Nearly one million people have been displaced. Within the country, humanitarian aid remains severely limited, with over 1.8 million people needing urgent assistance,” they stated.

Cholera, food insecurity, attacks on Christians…

Other points pushed to Donald Trump’s table in the letter talk of Cameroon having battled with cholera at the close of 2024, in some parts of the country, in addition to food insecurity that has worsened the situation of citizens plus attacks on Christian communities among others.

They attributed their facts to the US State Department, further noting that “violence has led to the closure of over half of the schools in the affected areas, leaving 250,000 children without education”.

Inferring from their reading, the Congresspersons said: “Due to these extraordinary and temporary conditions, Cameroon remains an unsafe place for its nationals to return to, and it would be inconsistent with humanitarian principles to make them do so”.

Foreign policy objectives

Putting the situation in the context of Boko Haram terrorist activities in addition to separatists fighters, those praying Trump to extend the TPS for Cameroon, said: “By allowing Cameroonian nationals to remain in the U.S. under TPS, the U.S. prevents the forced return of individuals to a volatile environment where they may be at risk of radicalization or targeted recruitment by terrorist organizations”. This, they said, ties with US foreign policy objectives.

The Congresspersons recalled that persons residing in the United States, under TPS, are a huge economic resource that contributes to strengthening the American economy. 

They were specific that: “Cameroonian TPS holders specifically contribute to critical industries such as healthcare, construction, and transportation sectors facing severe workforce shortages, which Cameroonian nationals in these roles help address”.

Renewing their status, they said, would allow “eligible individuals to continue supporting the U.S. economy while remaining protected from returning to conditions where they would face serious threats to their safety and well-being”.

It should be recalled that the last extension was done by immediate past US President, Joe Biden, on December 8, 2023, for a period of 18 months. Those under the scheme would lose their status as from June 7, 2025; unless Donald Trump renews their status.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3417 of Friday April 11, 2025