07 JUL 2022
Congressman Charlie Crist, Florida State Senator Annette Taddeo and Advocates Urge Administration to Extend and Redesignate Venezuela Temporary Protected Status
Click here for recording of the call
WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, the Immigration Hub and the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) hosted a press call with Congressman Charlie Crist (FL-13), State Senator Annette Taddeo (FL-40) and other immigration advocates to urge the Biden-Harris administration to both extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela as the humanitarian crisis and state-sanctioned violence in the country have continued to worsen since the initial designation in March of 2021. The Administration must publish a notice on the Federal Register by Monday, July 11— 60 days before the expiration date— indicating whether it will extend and/or redesignate TPS for Venezuelans.
“The Biden-Harris administration did the right thing last year when it issued Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela. And now it must decide whether it will extend and redesignate TPS for the country to ensure an additional 250,000 refugees who are living in the United States are safe. The TPS program was created by Congress for exactly the type of situation happening in Venezuela, a country suffering from a deteriorating economic, political and humanitarian crisis," said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of The Immigration Hub. “Now is the moment for the administration to show real leadership, double-down on its commitment to the Venezuelan- American community in Florida and beyond, and address the second largest displacement crisis in the world. Our nation should not shirk its responsibility to protect refugees fleeing political persecution and humanitarian crises so we urge the Biden administration to do the right thing once more and act to extend and redesignate TPS for Venezuelan refugees."
“As Venezuela continues to suffer under a socialist dictatorship and humanitarian crisis, Temporary Protected Status is a lifeline for thousands who have been forced to flee their homes and find safety elsewhere,” said Congressman Charlie Crist (FL-13). “I am proud to join this bipartisan effort across the Sunshine State in calling on President Biden to do the right thing and extend and redesignate TPS for Venezuelans. Just as before, we are counting on the White House to act with courage to protect Venezuelans living in America during their time of need.”
“The humanitarian crisis Venezuelans are facing under the oppressive regime of dictator Nicolas Maduro only continues to grow worse,” said Florida State Senator Annette Taddeo (FL-40). “As the beacon of hope and freedom in the world, the United States must do everything in its power to support the Venezuelan people fleeing this oppressive regime and offer them a better chance at life. With nearly half of the Venezuelan population in the U.S. residing in Florida, renewing and designating TPS for Venezuelans would be monumental for our community.”
“Our Florida communities are full of Venezuelan friends and neighbors. The situation in Venezuela continues to be highly concerning and most Venezuelan TPS applicants would be in grave danger if they were made to return,” said Isabel Vinent Grimany, Co-Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “The migration of Venezuelans is a humanitarian crisis that requires hemispheric solutions. In the US, these solutions imply TPS extension and redesignation because they urgently need protection. No matter what nationality, race, gender or religious ideology, every single human being has a fundamental right to live without fear. The Florida Immigrant Coalition will continue to push the Biden administration to deliver what we know he can, because he must!”
“It is imperative that the administration, as early as possible, renew TPS so that it will bring a lot of peace to Venezuelans.” said William Diaz, Founder & CEO of Casa de Venezuela in Orlando, FL. “There are people who have been waiting for an asylum interview for 8, 9, and even 10 years. During the Trump administration, 92% of people interviewed for asylum were rejected. Now that we have this administration, and officials like Congressman Crist and national advocacy groups, it is the time to ask for an extension and redesignation of TPS.
TPS for Venezuela is set to expire in September. With overwhelming public support for TPS for families who are already in the U.S, the White House has an opportunity to continue ensuring the safety of Venezuelan nationals in the country, including heeding the urgent bipartisan call of the critical Florida Venezuelan constituency.
Redesignating TPS would allow Venezuelans who entered after the initial March 2021 designation to apply for TPS, protecting at least an additional 250,000 Venezuelans. The need to extend and redesignate Venezuela TPS comes as calls for bipartisan efforts to deliver on immigration reform emerge.
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