US immigration policy has a huge blind spot: climate change

Climate-driven disasters have displaced millions all over the world.

Without explicit legal protections for climate migrants, the US continues to have a giant blind spot as it abandons those fleeing ecological disaster.

Climate change is making each of those problems worse, strengthening hurricanes, raising sea levels, and setting the stage for explosive blazes.

The Secretary of Homeland Security can designate a country for TPS if there are “conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately” That includes environmental calamities like hurricanes and earthquakes.

Biden seemed to reverse course upon stepping into office, issuing executive orders saying he’d undo restrictive Trump -era immigration and asylum policies.

Biden 's attempts at undoing Trump 's most harmful immigration policies quickly gave way to a harsher stance.

Advocacy groups may be able to convince Harris to grant protections to climate migrants.

If elected, Harris could grant parole to people from countries affected by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters.

Immigration lawyers can also fight for asylum within the confines of the current law.