Members of the New York Congressional Delegation Applaud TPS Redesignation for Venezuela

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Members of the New York congressional delegation issued the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s decision this week to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) .

“The Biden administration’s decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to 472,000 Venezuelans here in the U.S. is a tremendous step forward for our country, as this much-needed action will help relieve the current financial strain on cities like New York, while helping countless migrants and their families,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “New York City continues to be the epicenter of an influx of new arrivals, many of whom are Venezuelan migrants fleeing an unprecedented economic, social, and political collapse in their home country. TPS will provide these new New Yorkers protection from deportation, while also allowing them to receive expedited work permits without having to undergo a lengthy, months-long wait period. This means that tens of thousands of asylum seekers in New York and around the country will now become immediately eligible to work to support themselves and their families, allowing them to leave overcrowded migrant shelters and lessening the burden on New York City and other cities across America. We must never forget that we are a nation founded by immigrants, and this decision will provide immediate jobs and stability for thousands upon thousands migrant families who have traversed thousands of miles to live and work in the United States. I commend the Biden administration for taking action to lift up our City’s economy and help these deserving migrants achieve their American dream.”

“I am grateful that the Biden administration has heeded our call to redesignate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which will enable more Venezuelan nationals who have sought asylum in New York to access work permits more quickly. Allowing these men and women to work is common sense – it will enable these individuals and families to find safe and legal work, pay their taxes and expenses, and will ultimately relieve some of the pressure on our city and state. This will remain a complex humanitarian challenge, but I’m confident that our local, state and federal officials will continue to work together to meet it,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

"I applaud the Biden administration's decision to reinstate TPS for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan nationals who have fled chaos to seek refuge in the United States. Many Venezuelans are escaping conditions that we cannot fathom; this action by President Biden will ensure asylum seekers won't face potential return to their home country and can begin to build a life in the US. In New York City, Venezuelans make up the majority of migrants in the city's care. Extending TPS and expediting work permits will help relieve pressure on city services and allow migrants to work to support their families and contribute to our economy," said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

“I commend the Biden administration for taking this bold step to redesignate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela. This is something that I, along with the rest of the New York Delegation have long championed. This is both the right thing to do morally for those fleeing the Maduro regime and will also provide these individuals with stability and the work authorization they need to contribute to our economy,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.

"New York City has experienced an unprecedented influx of thousands of migrants this year. Our country should be a land of opportunity for immigrants and asylum seekers," said Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15). "Work authorization is a critical step in the ability of immigrants to be able to provide for themselves and their families. The Biden administration’s decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to 472,000 Venezuelans will help alleviate the strain that has been put on the city's shelter system and local economy. Thank you to President Biden and his administration for taking these necessary steps, and I will continue to advocate for work authorization for all asylum seekers and immigrants who come to our shore.”

“Nearly half a million Venezuelans currently in the U.S. will greatly benefit from the Biden administration’s decision to grant them Temporary Protected Status. This is a major step that gives these asylum seekers an opportunity to gain legal status and work authorization,” said Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06). “Additionally, this decision will be huge in alleviating some of the pressures that have been shouldered by New York City in the months since states begun busing migrants here and to other states. I thank President Biden for this decision that both allows Venezuelans to seek employment and provide for their families, while also escaping the dangerous situations of their home country.”

“I am excited to celebrate the Biden administration’s expansion of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelan migrants, and I’m proud of the work that we have done to push the President to take this lifesaving step,” said Rep. Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16). “Migrants and asylum seekers who come to the United States fleeing violence and persecution must be met with dignity, respect, and empathy. Our country would not be here today without the culture, creativity, and hard work of all immigrants. Extending TPS to Venezuelan migrants will provide temporary security in our country and give them the opportunity to work so they can support themselves and their loved ones, strengthen our economy, and contribute to our communities. To support Venezuelan migrants further, I, alongside members of the New York delegation, signed a bicameral letter to USCIS requesting the agency to open Support Centers in New York to offer wrap-around services to new migrants. I will continue to support legislation and advocacy efforts to support asylum seekers and migrants. I hope that other nations seeking TPS will also receive status expeditiously, and that our requests to support our new community members are fulfilled.”

“I applaud President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas for taking this and other important actions to address our ever-pressing immigration issues,” said Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10). “In the absence of Congressional Republicans’ willingness to act, my colleagues and I in the NY delegation have been calling on the Administration to take this much needed executive action that will allow tens of thousands of newly-arrived migrants in New York City to apply for work authorization and begin to provide for themselves and their families, assimilate into our great city, pay taxes and alleviate the financial burden on the City and State. I will continue to advocate for increased federal funding while pushing for comprehensive immigration reform to address the root causes of this issue. New York will continue to be an example for cities across the nation in how to safely and efficiently welcome those from around the world who are seeking the American Dream.”

“The Biden administration’s decision to expand TPS for Venezuelan nationals is a victory not just for hard-working Venezuelans currently in the U.S., but also for all of America. There is no safe return for Venezuelan immigrants, and now with the opportunity to gain legal status and work authorization, they can safely remain in the country they now call home and continue to contribute to our economy and communities. We commend the administration for using the authority provided by Congress and encourage them to continue using TPS to the broadest extent possible, offering those seeking refuge a critical lifeline. The majority of Americans support President Biden’s use of TPS and providing lawful status and work permits to immigrants currently in America. These are the solutions that the American electorate have long waited for, and we hope that the Biden administration continues to expand access to work permits for both newly arrived immigrants and long-term residents,” said Immigration HUB Executive Director Kerri Talbot.

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov