Soto, Wasserman Schultz, Díaz-Balart Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Redesignation of Venezuela for TPS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-25), and bipartisan Members of Congress sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas urging them to consider redesignating Venezuela for TPS and moving the required arrival date forward to December 31, 2021.

"Political instability caused by Maduro's authoritarian regime has led to massive food and medicine shortages, 94% of the population living in poverty, 60% of the population is suffering from food insecurity and the country's economy is crippled," wrote the Members. "Venezuela's economy has contracted by more than 74% since 2014 which is more than twice the magnitude of the Great Depression in the United States. Venezuela has also experienced some of the highest homicide and crime victimization rates in Latin America and the Caribbean."

"Additionally, food and medicine shortages have led to increased infant and maternal mortality rates, and the return of previously eradicated diseases such as diphtheria and measles. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this humanitarian crisis and has led to thousands of deaths. Due to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, Venezuelans have consistently been the leading nationality requesting asylum in the United States since 2016. As of November 2021, U.N. agencies believe that over six million Venezuelans have fled the country. The number of displaced individuals from Venezuela only continues to grow."

In addition to Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23), and Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-25), the letter was signed by 27 Members of Congress, including Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), Val Demings (D-FL-10), Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Lois Frankel (D-FL-21), Carlos Giménez (R-FL-26), Al Lawson (D-FL-05), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-07), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Karen Bass (D-CA-37), Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (D-NY-16), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC At-Large), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), James McGovern (D-MA-02), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA-36), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), and Nydia Velazquez (D-NY-07).

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

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