Washington, DC – By July 11th the Biden administration will need to make a decision regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals living in the United States. Will they merely extend the program for another 18 months for those already eligible – those in the U.S. before March 2021 – or will they go further and expand the program so that those who have arrived since March 2021 – an estimated 250,000 people – are protected from deportation back to the Maduro dictatorship?
The following is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice:
“This should be a no-brainer for the Biden administration. Team Biden should extend and expand TPS for Venezuelans.
The TPS statute was written for situations like the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. There is strong bipartisan support for extending and expanding Venezuelan TPS, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio in favor of expanding TPS for recently-arrived Venezuelans. With Florida remaining a key swing state, and Venezuelans emerging as an important constituency, the politics favor the granting of the broadest possible protections, as well.
At a time of increased regional cooperation, other nations in the region are stepping up. For example, Colombia will have admitted and given safe haven to some 1.5 million Venezuelans as of this August. President Biden urged our hemispheric partners to step up to manage and mitigate migration at the recent Summit of the Americas; it’s time for America to lead with actions.
Biden can’t afford to miss this policy and political lay up. Choosing the safe middle ground is not working for President Biden or the Democrats at a time when he is being criticized for tepid responses regarding the threat to our democracy, the danger of gun violence, and the Supreme Court’s attack on the right to abortion. Do the right thing, Mr. President. Take the win. Protect Venezuelans fleeing dictatorship and seeking safety in the United States.”
