March 11, 2021
WASHINGTON—On March 8, 2021, the Biden Administration announced that it will be designating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is a statutorily authorized immigration status, subject to certain conditions, that allows individuals to remain and work in the U.S. during a period in which it is deemed unsafe for them to return to their home country. This particular designation is valid for eighteen months, and it is subject to renewal if the relevant conditions are found to be ongoing at the time of expiration.
Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, and Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, issued the following statement in response to the announcement:
“We commend this just and humane decision by the Administration, which will provide much needed relief to those Venezuelans already present in the United States. The situation in Venezuela has been steadily deteriorating over the past decade, resulting in civil unrest, severe food insecurity, and loss of life. Unfortunately, many Venezuelans will continue to be impacted by the conditions that warranted this designation. Therefore, we encourage the Administration to work toward addressing these conditions through diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and international relief efforts that seek to promote and preserve human life. We continue to stand in solidarity with our Venezuelan brothers and sisters, and we pray for an end to the circumstances that perpetuate their suffering. May Our Lady of Coromoto, patroness of Venezuela, comfort them in their time of need.”
Over the last two years, the Bishops have urged humanitarian relief for Venezuelans, requesting TPS and supporting legislative efforts to that end.