Press Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Washington, D.C. – Last night, twin earthquakes struck Venezuela less than a minute apart, killing at least 164 people and injuring thousands. The death toll continues to rise, and Caracas has been devastated. Last year, the Trump administration determined that Venezuela no longer meets the condition for Temporary Protected Status despite the ongoing political and economic instability in the country. Venezuela’s dire political and economic turmoil already qualified for TPS, and the recent earthquake is exacerbating the dangerous humanitarian crisis on the ground. Below is a statement from Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation.
“Today we mourn the loss for our Venezuelan community who has been struck by catastrophe once again. Venezuela has been mired in continued turmoil from years of political instability, economic collapse, and state sponsored oppression, this situation alone is enough to allow Venezuela to qualify for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The recent earthquakes are adding tragedy to an ongoing humanitarian crisis and necessitates immediate action.
Last year the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela, a designation that was vital for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans that have had to flee their native country to escape ongoing collapse. Today the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has been exacerbated by these devastating earthquakes and people’s lives are in the balance.
TPS exists precisely for moments like this; when a country is struck by sudden, devastating disaster that renders return unsafe. TPS was designed to establish a formal process to shield foreign nationals already in the U.S. from deportation if their home countries were suffering from war, environmental disasters, or extraordinary crises. The situation in Venezuela embodies all the above. The United States has both the legal authority and the humanitarian obligation to shield foreign nationals from a forced return to countries experiencing extraordinary circumstances.
Hispanic Federation urgently calls on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to redesignate Venezuela for TPS. Nearly 600,000 Venezuelans have built lives in the United States, working and contributing to local economies, and now they face expiring protections. Requiring their return to a country during a humanitarian catastrophe would be contrary to the spirit and intent of the law, to our values as a nation, and would put thousands of lives at risk. Venezuela continues to meet the standards required for the TPS designation, and the Administration must act.
We stand ready to work with the Department of Homeland Security to move without delay and ensure the right outcome for Venezuelan families during this devastating time. The law allows it, this crisis demands it, and our obligation as a nation requires it.”
###
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
