MIAMI – The clock is ticking for community members from Venezuela with Temporary Protected Status.
Members of Miami-Dade’s Democratic Party held a news conference outside Miami City Hall Thursday morning alongside Venezuelan exile advocates.
Much like some of Florida’s Republican federal lawmakers, they are urging the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security to revisit its decision on TPS status holders, especially in light of worsening conditions in Venezuela that they say is governed by a brutal dictator which could also place the lives of those deported at risk.
“(The decision) not to extend the 2023 extension of TPS that means that those individuals will lose their status as of April 6 of this year, and I believe that represents 256,000 Venezuelans, not the vast majority of whom live here in Florida and especially here in South Florida,” said Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chair and immigration attorney Laura Kelley. “And this is the only administration that has done something of this nature for TPS recipients, especially considering the conditions in Venezuela have absolutely not improved. As Maria Corina Vega stated, they have gotten worse, especially after the fraudulent election that happened in the summer of this year.”
The 2021 TPS designation from Venezuela is set to expire in September.
Additionally, commissioners passed a resolution that was sponsored by Commissioner Damian Pardo urging the Trump administration to reconsider their decision.
“Today I introduced a resolution to strongly urge President Donald J. Trump and the US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to continue granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to individuals from countries facing instability and harm. This includes El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and other designated countries while conditions persist that preclude their safe return.
The immigrants protected by TPS faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis marked by political turmoil, economic collapse, and widespread human rights violations in their home countries. As a result, millions have fled their homeland, seeking refuge in the United States, a country that has long been a beacon of hope for those fleeing violence and persecution.
As someone who has always supported the well-being and safety of vulnerable communities, President Trump’s actions undermine the values this country was founded on.”
Miami Commissioner Daniam Pardo, District 2
The only commissioner not to vote “yes” was Joe Carollo, who was not in chambers when the vote took place.
Read the resolution below: