Under pressure over border, Biden administration to protect hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans

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The Biden administration, under mounting pressure regarding immigration and border issues, has announced its decision to extend temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who are already present in the United States. This move will swiftly grant them eligibility to work, a response to the increasing number of individuals fleeing Venezuela and other regions to seek refuge at the U.S.-Mexico border.

This decision, coupled with the commitment to expedite work permits for many migrants, aims to address the concerns of Democratic leaders who have urged the White House to provide more support to asylum seekers. However, it also provides fodder for Republicans who argue that the president’s stance on immigration has been too lenient.

The Department of Homeland Security intends to confer Temporary Protected Status upon an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans who had arrived in the country by July 31, 2023. This designation will streamline the process for them to obtain work authorization in the U.S. This move comes as a response to the demands of Democratic mayors and governors who have been grappling with the challenge of accommodating a growing number of migrants.

In addition to these individuals, approximately 242,700 Venezuelans were already eligible for temporary status before this announcement.

The significance of these protections for Venezuelans cannot be understated, as they constitute a substantial portion of the migrants who have been arriving in the U.S. in recent years. Venezuela’s profound political, economic, and humanitarian crisis over the past decade has forced over 7.3 million people to seek refuge elsewhere, rendering basic necessities unaffordable for those who remain. While the majority settled in neighboring Latin American countries, a significant number embarked on a perilous journey to the United States, often crossing the treacherous Darien Gap in Panama.

It’s important to note that Venezuelans arriving in the U.S. after July 31, 2023, will not be eligible for this protection, and those eligible must apply to obtain it.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas justified this expansion and an 18-month extension for those with existing temporary status, citing Venezuela’s ongoing instability and hazardous conditions due to humanitarian, security, political, and environmental factors.

The administration also pledged to expedite work authorizations for individuals who have arrived in the country since January, utilizing a mobile app called CBP One for appointments at land crossings with Mexico, or through parole granted to Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans with financial sponsors arriving at airports. The goal is to issue work permits within 30 days, a significant improvement over the current 90-day timeline. However, it’s important to note that this expedited process does not apply to those who cross the border illegally and seek asylum, as they are required by law to wait for six months before receiving work permits.

Mayors and governors have been vocal about the need for newly arrived migrants to secure legal work permits promptly so they can support themselves. Democratic officials in states such as New York, Massachusetts, and Chicago have voiced concerns about the strain on their resources, particularly in New York, where housing is mandated for anyone in need. The city currently bears the cost of housing approximately 60,000 recently arrived migrants.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed gratitude for the federal government’s swift action in granting Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelan asylum seekers and migrants already in the country. Mayor Eric Adams, who has been critical of the Biden administration, praised the decision to protect Venezuelans and commended the administration for addressing the city’s concerns.

The number of migrants attempting to cross the southern border has been on the rise, posing a significant challenge for the administration’s efforts to demonstrate control over the border amid Republican criticism. Eagle Pass, a city along the Rio Grande in southern Texas, declared a state of emergency due to a substantial surge in undocumented immigrants.

To address these challenges, the administration also announced its use of Defense Department forces to support Homeland Security personnel on the border. In addition to the approximately 2,500 National Guard troops already assisting Customs and Border Protection, up to 800 new active-duty troops will be deployed for logistical support, allowing Customs officials to focus on frontline responsibilities.

Homeland Security has further taken measures to manage immigration, including scaling up a process initiated in May to expedite the removal of families without a valid basis to stay in the country. The agency has also increased holding capacity along the southern border and reported an increase in the number of people expelled from the country. Since May 12, over 253,000 individuals have been removed to more than 150 countries worldwide, compared to 180,000 during the same period in 2019, prior to the pandemic’s impact on the government’s ability to expel migrants.

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