As the next presidential administration prepares for a potential surge in deportations, a Democratic senator is advocating for the Biden administration to bolster protections for vulnerable immigrant populations. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) has publicly called on President Biden to utilize his authority to safeguard immigrant families.

Specifically, Sen. Cortez Masto is urging the administration to leverage Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program overseen by the Department of Homeland Security. TPS offers work permits and deportation relief to eligible foreign nationals already residing in the U.S. This program has been widely employed by the Biden administration, notably for individuals from Haiti and Venezuela.

Beyond TPS, the senator also emphasized the need to expedite processing for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications. DACA provides protection for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children. Sen. Cortez Masto stressed the importance of ensuring these "Dreamers" can remain in the country they grew up in.

This call to action comes in anticipation of the incoming administration's expected crackdown on immigration, including potential mass deportations. The senator underscored the urgency of these measures, stating that no one will be safe from deportation efforts. She emphasized the importance of providing certainty and keeping families together during this uncertain time.

The Biden administration recently extended and redesignated TPS for Lebanese nationals, allowing even those not originally covered to seek protection. This move demonstrates the administration's ongoing efforts to utilize TPS, but Sen. Cortez Masto's plea suggests a desire for even broader application of these protective measures.

The senator's advocacy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and the precarious situation faced by many immigrants in the United States as administrations transition and policies shift.