By Seth Daniel
For the past four years, Jose Iraheta has made it his practice to attend nearly every meeting of the Chelsea City Council.
On frigid February evenings when attendance dwindled, his presence remained constant.
He has volunteered translation services for residents lacking English proficiency, participated in virtually all community gatherings, conversed with Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen during her Chelsea visit, and vocally advocated both for and against various measures.
Resident Mario Caballero of Webster Avenue shares his story about being in fear due to the potential of having his Temporary Protected Status (TPS) rescinded by the federal government. An announcement on TPS is expected in six months. Caballero said he had been in the US under TPS since 1988
Yet Monday’s gathering took on entirely new meaning for Iraheta.
Within the next half year, a federal determination regarding Temporary Protected Status could effectively remove from Chelsea someone who has become woven into its fabric—all stemming from the government’s recent announcement that the TPS program no longer serves its purpose.
“I am a recipient of TPS due to an earthquake that happened in my country (of El Salvador) in 2001,” he expressed, struggling to contain his feelings. “I feel somewhat selfish to come up here because this directly affects me and it’s hard to talk about it. When I first heard that they had put out a letter saying TPS might be rescinded, it was a really dark place for me and probably everyone like me. I started thinking about an exit strategy. I’ve spent more time in the US than in my country. I came here when I was 12. I went to school here, graduated from college and built a life here and a home here. The thought of having to leave is so incredibly hard.”
Multiple TPS beneficiaries testified before the Council requesting passage of a resolution urging federal officials to preserve the TPS initiative. This program provides legal status to displaced persons from Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador fleeing natural catastrophes and dangerous conditions.
The 2010 Haitian earthquake created particular hardship for many beneficiaries. Approximately 340,000 individuals nationwide possess TPS designation, though Chelsea hosts a substantial concentration, including Iraheta.
“This resolution gives me hope and gives others like me hope in this situation,” Iraheta remarked.
Webster Avenue resident Mario Caballero represents another constituency affected by this potential change. Having obtained TPS status long ago and now retired after working dual positions over many years, Caballero faces uncertain prospects.
“I had no worries at all until I heard this news that TPS could be gone,” he communicated through an interpreter. “And just like me, the man who owns the home where I rent an apartment also has TPS. We wonder what is going to become of us. I’ve been on a pension for three years now and my first question is what will happen to my pension and my insurance.”
The Council’s response proved swift and decisive: an 11-0 vote endorsing the resolution, met with a standing ovation from the assembled advocates.
Councillor Judith Garcia spoke with evident emotion, referencing her own family members holding TPS status.
“I know so much how you have contributed to the community and the economy,” Garcia stated. “We are breaking families apart. Many of those with TPS have children born here…Expelling residents is breaking up Chelsea…This resolution is a bold and important move. I hope other communities like Everett, Revere and Lawrence will join us. We have six months to really rally and bond together to make our voices heard.”
Councillor Dan Cortell observed that Washington policymakers crafting such determinations lack the burden of facing impacted individuals like Iraheta.
“The people making these decisions at a national level are missing having to look people in the eyes whom they are actually affecting,” Cortell remarked. “Politicians like Trump aren’t looking people in the ye and understand the ramifications…We cannot sent people back to these places when they are not safe. Change is not going to happen from the top down so it has to come from the bottom up…These are our neighbors and we have to fight for them.”
The measure achieved unanimous approval, with ten of the eleven members appending their signatures.