11 JUL 2022
Hub Highlights: In Series of Actions, Immigration Advocates, Florida Leaders, Lawmakers Urge the Administration to Extend and Redesignate TPS for Venezuela
POLITICO: Decision by Biden administration to extend and redesignate TPS for Venezuelans “could be welcomed by key constituents ahead of the midterms”
The Hill: “Florida Democrats call on Biden to expand protections for Venezuelans”
WASHINGTON, DC - With the deadline for the Biden Administration to take action on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans fast approaching, “immigrant advocates, Democratic lawmakers and Florida-based Latino leaders are urging the [Biden] administration to redesignate TPS for Venezuelans who have fled the humanitarian crisis brought on by Nicolás Maduro’s government.”
Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela is set to expire on September 9. The Administration must publish a notice on the Federal Register by July 11— 60 days before the expiration date— indicating whether it will extend TPS for holders currently protected and/or it will redesignate TPS for Venezuelans. 323,000 Venezuelans are currently eligible for TPS, but redesignation would allow at least an additional 250,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. after the initial March 2021 designation to apply for TPS.
The need to extend and redesignate Venezuela TPS comes as calls for bipartisan efforts to deliver on immigration reform have emerged. With overwhelming public support for TPS for families who are already in the U.S, the White House has an unique opportunity to continue ensuring the safety of Venezuelan nationals in the country, including heeding the urgent bipartisan call of the critical Florida Venezuelan constituency. It is critical that President Biden deliver on his campaign promise for the critical Florida-Venezuela constituency as Venezuela continues to be in crisis, as POLITICO reports, “Venezuela’s ongoing humanitarian, economic and political crisis has only worsened in the year since the Biden administration took office. And more than 6 million refugees and migrants have left the country as a result, according to the United Nations.”
Actions by advocates, legislators and politicians, include:
On July 9, Miami-Dade Mayor Levine-Cava sent a letter urging Secretary Mayorkas to extend and redesignate TPS for Venezuelans.
On July 8, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) urged President Biden, Secretary Mayorkas, and Secretary Blinken to extend and redesignate TPS for Venezuelans. In April, the CHC met with President Biden and sent a letter asking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to designate and redesignate TPS for various countries, including Venezuela.
On July 8, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and 21 other Senators sent a letter to Secretaries Mayorkas and Blinken calling for an extension and redesignatation of TPS for Venezuela. The Senators also express concerns about the uptick in armed violence in Venezuela and the growing humanitarian needs resulting in people being forced to flee Venezuela.
On July 8, bipartisan members of Congress joined a letter led by the Florida Congressional Delegation urging President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas to extend and redesignate Venezuela for TPS. The original letter was led by Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Darren Soto (FL-09), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23).
On July 7, former Congressman Charlie Crist, State Senator Annette Taddeo (FL-40), Florida Immigrant Coalition and Immigration Hub held a press briefing to call on the Biden Administration to extend and redesignate TPS for Venezuelans. The speakers stressed the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in the country and underscored the widespread support that exists for TPS for Venezuela. A recent battleground poll conducted by the Immigration Hub showed that 3 in 5 voters support TPS for families who are already in the U.S. For a recording of the press call, click here.
On July 7, the Florida Immigrant Coalition launched a five-figure digital TV ad in Florida urging President Biden to expand TPS for Venezuelans. The ad features William Diaz, a community leader in Central Florida and founder and CEO of Casa de Venezuela Orlando, thanking President Biden for taking action to protect the Venezuela community in Florida through TPS and urging expansion of the program. The ad airs from July 7 through July 21 across Central and South Florida.
On July 6, State Senator Annette Taddeo (FL-40) hosted a roundtable on the urgent need to extend and redesignate TPS for Venezuelans.
On July 5, State Senator Senator Taddeo and 44 other members of the Florida legislature also sent a letter to President Biden and DHS Secretary Mayorkas, calling for an extension and redesignation of TPS for Venezuelans.
190 organizations including the Venezuelan-American Caucus and National Immigration Law Center sent a letter to President Biden calling for an extension and redesignation of TPS for Venezuelans. In the letter, the groups call for an 18-month extension, arguing that conditions in Venezuela have worsened since the last designation.
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