Refugees International Welcomes TPS for Venezuelans, Biden Admin Measures that ‘Affirm American Commitment to Humanitarian Protection’

Statement from Refugees International Director for the Americas and Europe Yael Schacher: 

“Refugees International welcomes the Biden administration’s announcements yesterday of the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status and other measures that will enable those who have sought safety in the United States to legally work to support themselves and their families. These efforts not only affirm American commitment to humanitarian protection, but also eliminate administrative barriers to unleashing the power of newcomers to help grow the U.S. economy.  

Refugees International calls on Congress to appropriate sufficient resources for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement the announced speedy processing of applications and to shorten the time—set by statute—that asylum seekers must wait to get an initial work permits. These are crucial first steps by the Executive and Legislative branches in what must be a broader investment in, and updating of, the U.S. immigration and asylum systems for the twenty-first century.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Refugees International Media and Communications Manager Etant Dupain edupain@refugeesinternational.org.