Reps. Salazar, Soto, and Wasserman Schultz Introduce Legislation to Designate TPS for Venezuelans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Maria Salazar (FL-27), Darren Soto (FL-09), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) introduced the bipartisan Venezuela TPS Act of 2025, with Salazar serving as the Republican co-lead on the legislation. The bill provides Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans currently in the United States. Specifically, this act automatically designates TPS for Venezuelans for 18 months after enactment of this bill, with the option of renewal. This will protect approximately 600,000 Venezuelans in the United States from deportation.
“The oppression of the Maduro regime and the total failure of socialism of the 21st century has created dangerous conditions in Venezuela and a constant threat of political persecution,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “That’s why I am proud to co-lead the Venezuela TPS Act of 2025 - to ensure law-abiding Venezuelans currently in the United States can stay here until conditions improve and they are not forcibly returned to a brutal dictatorship. I will continue fighting for a free and prosperous Venezuela, led by its legitimate President Edmundo Gonzalez and the Iron Lady Maria Corina Machado.”
“We are concerned by the Trump Administration’s actions to strip Venezuelans of Temporary Protected Status, parole, and other critical protections during a time of major instability in their country. In Central Florida, thousands of Venezuelans have fled political violence and joined family members already living in the United States, contributing to our economy, and working hard to help our community grow,” said Congressman Darren Soto. “It is insulting to turn our backs on this group. Now more than ever, we need to come together to protect our community from unjust treatment and unconstitutional deportations.”
"It is simply wrong to subject law-abiding Venezuelan families to a criminal, murderous regime that openly and flagrantly violates human rights," said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. "TPS recipients are not criminals—they are here legally and nobody with a criminal record is eligible for protection. I'm proud to join this bipartisan effort to prevent Venezuelan families in my district from being unjustly torn apart while we continue to fight for a free and prosperous Venezuela under democratic leadership."
BACKGROUND:
Political instability caused by Nicolas Maduro’s authoritarian regime in Venezuela has led to massive food and medicine shortages, half of the population living in poverty, many suffering from food insecurity, and a crippled economy. Venezuela’s economy has contracted by more than 80% 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.
Congresswoman Salazar represents approximately 40,000 Americans of Venezuelan descent in Florida’s 27th congressional district. Salazar has been at the forefront of the push to protect Venezuelans from deportation until the Maduro regime falls.
The legislation automatically designates eligible Venezuelans for TPS for an initial period of 18 months, with the option of renewal. Under TPS, Venezuelans would be shielded from deportation and granted work authorization, allowing individuals to pay taxes and contribute to their communities. This bill would not protect any criminals, and all eligible individuals must pass a stringent background check. The Venezuela TPS Act of 2025 also provides for individuals to travel abroad for emergencies and extenuating circumstances.
Venezuelan nationals will be eligible for TPS if they are:
- Physically present in the United States on the date of enactment;
- Do not have a criminal record and,
- Properly register for TPS with the Secretary of Homeland Security.
You can read the full bill here.