MIAMI.- The Democratic representative for Florida, Darren Soto, together with Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Frederica Wilson and the Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, presented HR 4048, a proposed Venezuelan Adjustment Act, which proposes a path to permanent residence for thousands of Venezuelans in the United States.
This bipartisan project proposes that Venezuelans who have entered the United States before or on December 31, 2021 may apply for the Venezuelan Adjustment Act that would provide a path to lawful permanent residence (LPR).
This law would have some similarities to the Cuban Adjustment Act that has been in force since 1996 and that allows Cuban natives present in the US and who meet certain eligibility requirements to apply to become legal permanent residents (obtain a Green Card, also known as as Green Card).
WHAT IS PROPOSED AND WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE VENEZUELAN ADJUSTMENT LAW?
This law could serve many Venezuelan nationals who have been living in the United States for years, as long as they are eligible under the provisions of this bill.
Eligible people are:
– Venezuelans who request the adjustment no later than 3 years after the date of promulgation of the law
– Venezuelans eligible to receive an immigrant visa
– Venezuelans admissible to the United States to obtain permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of immigration assistance.
A Venezuelan alien present in the United States who has been subject to an order of exclusion, deportation, removal, or voluntary departure under any provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act may, despite such order, file an application for adjustment of status.
THOSE WHO WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE
They will not be eligible for adjustment of status under this subsection if it is determined that the alien: has been convicted of any aggravated felony; has been convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude (other than a purely political crime); or has ordered, incited, assisted or in any other way participated in the persecution of any person for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a certain social group or political opinion.
WHAT DO THE PROMOTERS OF THIS LAW SAY?
“The Venezuelan Adjustment Law will allow more than 400,000 Venezuelans fleeing an oppressive regime where totalitarianism reigns to obtain Permanent Residency without any change model,” said Mildred Rodríguez, CEO of My Voice Counts and one of the civil promoters of this project that for at least a year has been collecting support signatures and presenting the proposal to congressmen and representatives.
“It will offer permanent inclusion, insertion and social integration to the country that welcomes them, recovering their freedom and rebuilding a future of reunions without borders,” he said.
According to the congresswoman, this would allow them to continue making significant contributions to their communities, the state of Florida and the country. “It is vital that the United States continue to provide security and support to Venezuelans who have fled the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that continues to plague Venezuela,” according to a statement from the congresswoman.
“The oppression of the Maduro regime and the failure of 21st century socialism has led to the worst refugee crisis in the world,” said Maria Elvira Salazar when presenting the project. “As a result, thousands of Venezuelans in Miami face an uncertain immigration status and cannot return to Venezuela. I am proud to co-lead the Venezuelan Adjustment Act to provide refuge to those who have endured incredible suffering, so they do not have to return home. to face the wrath of the dictatorship”.
“With the help of President Joe Biden and Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, we have delivered Temporary Protected Status and a new parole program to help hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan refugees in Florida and across the country,” assured representative Soto. “Now, Venezuelans living in the United States need a path to permanent legal status for greater stability.”
“Venezuela’s refugee crisis has displaced seven million people,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “President Biden has taken concrete steps to protect our Venezuelan friends and neighbors by providing Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian parole. I am proud to support his efforts in promoting a humane and legal pathway for those who have fled poverty and persecution. “.
“Venezuelan families who have sought refuge in the United States are escaping the dangers inflicted by an authoritarian and oppressive regime. As the Venezuelan community endures the ongoing humanitarian and political crisis that has gripped the country, our nation must step up. step forward to provide the support that the Venezuelan people need,” said Representative Wilson.
ONE OF THE NATIONALITIES WITH THE MOST ASYLUM APPLICATIONS
Venezuelans have consistently been one of the top nationalities seeking asylum in the United States since 2016. Venezuelans are also the largest group eligible for Temporary Protected Status, with more than 300,000 people eligible as of March 2021, according to the congressman’s office.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Immigration Statistics estimates that if Venezuela were redesignated for TPS, around 400,100 people would potentially be eligible.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar represents 30,000 Americans of Venezuelan origin in the 27th District of Florida, says a press release from her office.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO PASS A LAW?
Once the idea is turned into a bill, it enters the US Congress, either the House of Representatives or the Senate, then it is sent to a committee for evaluation. Committee members can make modifications, or observations, then vote to approve or reject them. If it is approved, it is then sent to either chamber for general debate, and then after going through another discussion process, it can go to a vote in Congress. If it passes the voting process and is approved, the legislation is sent to the President, who approves the Law and signs it. The President can also veto the law and return it to Congress with the reasons for the veto.
In it case of the Venezuelan Adjustment Law HR4048 the first step is being taken with its introduction in Congress.
