WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), member of the Judiciary Committee and Hispanic Caucus and the first South American-born member of Congress, lauded the passage of three critical immigration bills out of the Judiciary Committee – H.R. 2820, the Dream Act, H.R. 2821, the Promise Act, and H.R. 549 the Venezuela TPS Act – as well as H.R. 854 the Humanitarian Assistance to the Venezuelan People Act of 2019, being reported out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Mucarsel-Powell released the following statement:
“It’s a momentous day when we can keep our promise to those who are Americans in every way but on paper. Dreamers, DACA recipients, and TPS and DED holders have faced and overcome great adversity to enrich our country by being our nation’s service members, doctors, entrepreneurs, job creators, teachers, and countless other roles that contribute to America’s economy and culture. For over two years, the Trump Administration has tried to push these Americans, and their families, further into the shadows. Despite their attempts, multiple courts have ruled in favor of protecting Dreamers, DACA recipients, and TPS and DED holders, and I believe our country should honor our commitment to them in the same way they have been committed to our country.
“Maduro’s illegitimate regime has plunged the once-prosperous nation of Venezuela into the worst humanitarian crisis in our hemisphere’s history. The health system has collapsed, people are dying of starvation, and in many cases resorting to drinking sewage in place of potable water. This is the kind of situation temporary protected status (TPS) was created for. With one of the largest Venezuelan and Venezuelan American populations in our country in my district, and being from South America, I know that we must do everything we can to help the Venezuelan people currently in the United States fleeing a brutal narco-regime, as well as provide humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people so they can restore their democracy. Even after promising to help the Venezuelan people, the Trump Administration has continued deporting Venezuelans. After talking to the Administration and requesting they grant Venezuelans TPS, Trump has failed to act. We have exhausted every possible avenue making the bipartisan legislative remedy necessary. I hope Trump will put partisanship aside and swiftly sign into law both increased humanitarian assistance and TPS for the Venezuelan people.”
