Soto, Salazar, Wasserman Schultz, Wilson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Adjust Legal Status for Venezuelan Nationals

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL-09), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24) announced the re-introduction of H.R. 1348, the Venezuelan Adjustment Act, bipartisan legislation to adjust the status for certain Venezuelan nationals to that of lawfully admitted permanent resident (LPR) if they meet certain criteria, including entering the United States before or on December 31, 2021.

"As the Trump Administration continues stripping Venezuelans of parole, Temporary Protected Status, and other protections, it is crucial for us to come together and fight for their safety,” said Rep. Soto. “Permanent legal status would allow hard-working Venezuelans in our community to have greater stability in their pursuit of the American Dream.”   

“The oppression of the Maduro regime and the failure of socialism of the 21st century has led to the world’s worst refugee crisis. As long as Maduro forcibly remains in power, this crisis will only get worse,” said Rep. Salazar. “Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans fled the Maduro regime and now face an uncertain future here in the United States. I am proud to reintroduce the Venezuelan Adjustment Act to provide refuge for those who have endured incredible suffering, so they do not have to return home to face the wrath of the dictatorship.”

"The Venezuelan Adjustment Act will give security and peace of mind to tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have fled a murderous, totalitarian regime," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "As Trump closes off legal pathways for migrants, we need this legislation to re-open the door for those who should have the opportunity to become permanent legal residents as Cubans have been able to for years. This bill would strengthen South Florida's economy, keep families together, and stave off cruel threats of deportation back to the Maduro regime's repression."

“Maduro’s brutal regime has driven countless Venezuelans to flee the nation and seek refuge in the United States. Sending them back isn’t just wrong—it’s inhumane,” said Rep. Wilson. “I’m proud to support a legal pathway for certain Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. because abandoning them in their time of need is not an option. We must stand against oppression and support those escaping it.”

The Venezuelan Adjustment Act would provide a path to LPR status for many Venezuelan nationals who have been living in the U.S. for years and allow them to continue making significant contributions to their communities, the state of Florida, and the country. It is vital that the U.S. continue to provide safety and support to Venezuelans who have fled the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis continuing to plague Venezuela.

Political instability, endemic corruption, and repression under Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime have led to massive food and medicine shortages, with millions living in poverty and suffering from food insecurity. Venezuela’s economy has contracted by more than 80% since 2014, which is more than twice the magnitude of the Great Depression in the United States. Due to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, Venezuelans have consistently been the leading nationality requesting asylum in the United States since 2016. As of June 2023, United Nations agencies believe that over 7.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country, many of whom have resettled in neighboring countries like Colombia and Brazil.

Last month, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the department’s decision to abandon the extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela established under the Biden Administration. The Trump Administration also took decisive action to terminate the Humanitarian Parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans program. This decision directly impacts over 500,000 Venezuelan migrants (300,000 Venezuelans who received TPS in 2023 and 250,000 who received TPS in 2021) and hundreds of thousands of parolees. 

“The Venezuelan Adjustment Act is not just a legislative initiative; it is a moral imperative. Thousands of Venezuelans in the United States live in constant uncertainty, unable to fully rebuild their lives due to the lack of a clear legal pathway to stability. These individuals have fled a regime where totalitarianism suppresses fundamental freedoms, and the prospect of democratic change remains nonexistent. The approval of this bill will allow more than 400,000 Venezuelans to live with stability and security, free from the fear of family separation or an uncertain future,” said Mildred Rodriguez, CEO of My Voice Counts Charities Foundation Inc. Furthermore, it will provide them with the opportunity to obtain permanent residency, ensuring their full integration into the nation that has offered them refuge. This is not only a humanitarian response but also a strategic investment in a community that contributes to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the United States. The Venezuelan Adjustment Act represents a step toward justice, offering stability, dignity, and a future free from fear.”

For the full text of the bill, please click here.

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