Diaz-Balart, Soto, Wasserman Schultz Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Redesignation of Venezuela for TPS
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Yesterday, Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23), and bipartisan members of the Florida Congressional Delegation 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.
Excerpts below. Read the full letter here.
“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.”
"Given the grave conditions in Venezuela, and within all applicable rules and regulations, we strongly urge your full and fair consideration of an extension and redesignation of Venezuela for TPS. We also ask that you move the required arrival date forward to December 31, 2021 to continue to provide safety and support to Venezuelans fleeing the political, economic and humanitarian crisis currently plaguing their home."
In addition to Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23), the letter was signed by 12 members of the Florida Congressional Delegation, including Reps. 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), Michael Waltz (R-FL-06), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24).
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