Jayapal Statement on SCOTUS Ruling Allowing for the Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela:

“The Trump administration is cruelly moving forward with ending TPS for 350,000 Venezuelans who have fled the authoritarian Maduro regime. Venezuelans face extreme oppression, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, and torture. Poverty levels are surging, and essentials like electricity, water, and medical care are scarce. The dire circumstances in Venezuela make it clear that this is exactly the type of situation that requires our government to provide TPS.

“The Administration’s move to end TPS for Venezuelans throws out people who are contributing substantially to our economy, including in Florida, which is home to the largest share of TPS holders of all 50 states, with almost 300,000 TPS holders, about 60 percent of whom are Venezuelan. Economists have warned that the Administration’s cruel moves on ending TPS for those who have committed no crimes and are here working will have enormous economic consequences, disrupt businesses, increase prices for consumers, and lead to deeper labor shortages. 

“It is shameful that the Trump administration would pull the rug out from so many Venezuelans who came into the country lawfully, fleeing untold violence and devastation in their home country.“

The US Department of State has a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Venezuela due to high rates of violent crime, including homicide, as well as the presence of active terrorist groups. The Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel in 2019. 

Issues: Immigration