Salazar Reintroduces the Venezuelan Adjustment Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL) announced the reintroduction of the Venezuelan Adjustment Act (H.R. 1348), which would adjust the legal status for certain Venezuelan nationals to that of lawfully admitted permanent residence if they meet certain criteria, including entering the United States before or on December 31, 2021.

“The oppression of the Maduro regime and the failure of socialism of the 21st century has led to the world’s worst refugee crisis. As long as Maduro forcibly remains in power, this crisis will only get worse,” said Rep. Salazar. “Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans fled the Maduro regime and now face an uncertain future here in the United States. I am proud to reintroduce the Venezuelan Adjustment Act to provide refuge for those who have endured incredible suffering, so they do not have to return home to face the wrath of the dictatorship.”

The Venezuelan Adjustment Act would provide a path to lawful permanent residency (LPR) status to many Venezuelan nationals who have been living in the United States for years and 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 safety and support to Venezuelans who have fled the political, economic, and humanitarian crises continuing to plague Venezuela.

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. Additionally, food and medicine shortages have led to poor infant and maternal mortality rates, and the return of previously eradicated diseases such as diphtheria and measles.

Due to this ongoing crisis in Venezuela, Venezuelans have consistently been one of the leading nationalities requesting asylum in the United States since 2016. Salazar has been at the forefront of the push to protect Venezuelans from deportation by redesignating Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security to protect the CHNV parole program. This does not, however, apply to criminals who will continue to face deportation.

Congresswoman Salazar represents 30,000 Americans of Venezuelan descent in Florida’s 27th congressional district. There are over 750,000 Venezuelans in the United States, many of them migrating after the rise of socialist tyranny in their home country.

Find the full text of the bill here.

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