1998.
Back then we thought we had to worry about Y2K when we actually should have been worried that the Temporary Protected Status for Hondurans after an earthquake would mean they would be here for 20 years. But the Trump admin has been taking an axe to TPS status for assorted groups over natural disasters that date back decades.
So the 57,000 Hondurans under TPS from Hurricane Mitch will have to leave by 2020. Though at this rate the odds are good that they'll go before a friendly Federal judge who will rule based on precedent that Trump is a racist and should have no control over immigration policy.
That will be followed by sob stories about how they no longer speak Spanish and would be unable to function in California.
But it's an important step in a battle that needs fighting. Here's the statement.
The decision to terminate TPS for Honduras was made after a review of the environmental disaster-related conditions upon which the country’s original 1999 TPS designation was based and an assessment of whether those originating conditions continue to exist, as required by statute. Based on careful consideration of available information, including recommendations received as part of an inter-agency consultation process, the Secretary determined that the disruption of living conditions in Honduras from Hurricane Mitch that served as the basis for its TPS designation has decreased to a degree that it should no longer be regarded as substantial. Thus, as required under the applicable statute, the current TPS designation must be terminated.
Since 1999, conditions in Honduras that resulted from the hurricane have notably improved. Additionally, since the last review of the country’s conditions in October 2016, Honduras has made substantial progress in post-hurricane recovery and reconstruction from the 1998 Hurricane Mitch.
Yes, in 20 years. That's how long this lunacy has been going on. It's time to end the madness.