Press Releases

Washington D.C. – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement in response to a statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas that the Biden Administration is extending the designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months:

“Today President Biden ensured that hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who fled the brutal Maduro regime can continue to receive a critical shield of political protection and personal peace of mind. The Trump Administration refused to offer that same protective armor to Maduro’s victims. But thanks to President Biden, Venezuelans will not be forced to return to an unstable and unsafe homeland. By extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans who arrived before March 8th of last year, we can ensure Venezuelans do not suffer under the murderous, despotic Maduro narco-regime. While I’m pleased about this essential extension, I strongly urge the President to offer that same refuge to Venezuelans who arrived after that same date, because nothing has changed in Venezuela, and in fact, has only gotten worse.  They too live with the same fear of being forced to return to Maduro’s brutal and repressive state, and their safety is just as vital as we all work to restore democracy and peace to Venezuela.”