Late Wednesday, the Biden administration marked a significant policy move, announcing that approximately 500,000 Venezuelan migrants in the United States would be allowed to live and work legally for 18 months.
This substantial decision came after extensive lobbying by New York Democrats and aligns with President Biden’s recent visit to the city.
This directive will temporarily protect Venezuelans, who arrived in the United States before July 31, from deportation, offering a quicker path to acquiring employment authorization.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas articulated that the unsafe prevailing conditions in Venezuela necessitated this action.
“Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return,” stated Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Mayorkas further clarified that this protection isn’t applicable to individuals who entered post-July 31 and those without a legal basis to remain would be subject to removal.
He emphasized, “That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived here on or before July 31 of this year find themselves in. We are accordingly granting them the protection that the law provides. However, it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023, are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.”
The redesignation, which involves an extensive review of country conditions in Venezuela, is rooted in Venezuela’s increased instability and multiple ongoing crises, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
It provides temporary protection from removal and employment authorization to eligible individuals reportedly based on the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions in the country.
This notable development came amidst concerns about the increasing strain on city resources due to migrant influxes, particularly in New York, where Democrats have argued for swift employment authorizations to enable migrants to achieve self-sufficiency.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) labeled this move as a “welcome step forward” and asserted: “As a result of this decision, immigrants will be temporarily allowed to work, fill needed jobs and support their families while awaiting an asylum determination.”
Approximately 242,700 TPS beneficiaries exist under Venezuela’s current TPS designation, with an additional 472,000 Venezuelan nationals potentially eligible under the redesignation.
Applicants for TPS under this redesignation must demonstrate continuous residency in the United States since July 31, 2023, among other eligibility criteria.
This announcement builds on previous efforts by the administration to mitigate challenges faced by cities like New York, including facilitating $140 million in emergency funds.
White House officials, however, maintain that comprehensive overhauls of immigration systems and policies necessitate Congressional action.
The persisting multifaceted challenges and debates surrounding immigration policies continue to underscore the intricate nature of these impacts and the ensuing discussions on both local and national levels.
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz criticized the Biden admin’s move, arguing the regime “is making the border invasion worse.”
“This news will incentivize even more illegal aliens from Venezuela to come,” Cruz added. “In the midst of a historic border crisis, this is the last thing our men and women of the Border Patrol need.”
