Diaz-Balart Commends Implementation of Deferred Enforced Departure for Venezuelans

WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­–– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) issued the following statement in response to President Trump's decision to provide Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to Venezuelan nationals in the United States.

"I thank President Trump and his Administration for this momentous decision to allow the thousands of Venezuelan nationals who fled the oppressive, brutal Maduro regime to remain in the United States. As one of his last decisions in office, President Trump has guaranteed that those Venezuelans who sought safety in the United States will not be returned to the dictatorship, where they could be subject to persecution, human rights abuses, or even death. This issue has been a top priority of mine, and for the past four years, I have been working closely with President Trump and his Administration to secure this important protection for Venezuelan nationals.

"The President and his Administration have provided steadfast, unprecedented solidarity with the Venezuelan people through tough sanctions on human rights abusers, millions of dollars in humanitarian relief, and strong outreach to the democratic opposition. Today's action is a fitting continuation of a foreign policy that champions human rights and democracy while standing up to dictators in our hemisphere. I thank my colleague, Congressman Darren Soto, for partnering with me to introduce Venezuela TPS, as well as Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott for keeping this issue at the forefront. I also thank Congressman Carlos Gimenez and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar for their invaluable support and advocacy on behalf of the Venezuelan people."

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