Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Biden administration announced an extension and redesignation of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people from Venezuela who arrived in the United States before July 31 2023. TPS is a program that allows people impacted by humanitarian crises to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. This move by the Biden administration will qualify nearly 500,000 more people for this program. Megan Mack, director of the Immigration Hub at the Vera Institute of Justice, issued the following statement:

“We applaud this action by the Biden administration, which will allow people who are already in the United States to live and work here with the safety and security everyone deserves. This decision, as well as the extension of Employment Authorization Documents to five years, are incredibly important steps, answering the calls made by city, state, and congressional officials across the country and making it possible for more people to actively participate in and contribute to their local communities and economies.

Now, the administration must take the next step. Just as people from Venezuela have faced a crisis that has forced them from their homes, there are many others facing similar circumstances who should get the same kind of support and protection. We call upon the Biden administration to extend and create new designations of TPS for people coming to this country in search of safety and freedom.”

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About the Vera Institute of Justice
The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. Vera’s headquarters is in Brooklyn, New York, with offices in Washington, DC, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit vera.org.