Senate Democrats introduced legislation to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans in the U.S., stating that the decisions taken by former President Trump on his last day in office to protect Venezuelans from deportation fell short.
Senator Bob Menendez stated, “After four years of empty promises and deceit, nobody believes Donald Trump had an epiphany on his last day in office and decided to protect the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans he was forcing into the shadows”. Trump’s executive order stopped deportation of Venezuelans for 18 months.
Senator Menendez further stated, “TPS is based in statute and is a legal immigration status, as opposed to Deferred Enforced Departure. That is why we are relaunching our campaign to actually stand with those fleeing the misery caused by the Maduro regime.” Both TPS and DED allow the recipients to legally live and work in the U.S. but experts say that TPS is a better option.
Immigration lawyer, Laura Jimenez, stated “DED prevents migrants from deportation for 18 months and allows them to work. TPS is an immigration status that can lead to a green card under President Joe Biden’s immigration proposal.” During his presidential campaign, Biden stated that he would extend TPS protections for Venezuelans.
In a statement, The White House said “Throughout the campaign President Biden committed to extending TPS to Venezuelans seeking relief from the humanitarian crisis brought on by the Maduro regime including if that action happened legislatively. Simultaneously, the State Department and Department of Homeland Security continue to be part of the process in reviewing TPS designations and assessing situations and conditions in impacted countries to make updated determinations”.
TPS would allow an estimated 200,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. to live and work legally. Millions of them have fled their country in recent years amid the crumbling economy and humanitarian crisis under Nicolas Maduro’s regime and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
“With Democrats retaking the presidency and the majority in Congress, I am convinced we will no longer be stymied in our efforts to enact an immigration system that reflects our nation’s values” said Senator Menendez.
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