TPS for Venezuelans?

The U.S. government should recognize the increased risk COVID-19 poses in Venezuela and designate Venezuelans in the United States for temporary protection, Human Rights Watch said today. Bills have been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate that would designate Venezuelans for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.  

A government crackdown in Venezuela has led to thousands of arbitrary arrests, prosecutions of hundreds of civilians by military courts, torture and other abuses of detainees, extrajudicial killings, and short-term enforced disappearances. The abuses have fueled mass departures from the country. Venezuela also faces a humanitarian emergency that makes it unprepared to deal with the pandemic, with mass adverse health consequences for teh Venezuelan public to follow.  

“Now is not the time to deport Venezuelans,” said Bill Frelick, refugee and migrant rights director at Human Rights Watch. “They need temporary protection because they cannot return safely to Venezuela at this time.”

KJ