FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sara Rodriguez, srodriguez@nylag.org, 212-613-6566
The New York Legal Assistance Group, serving recent Venezuelan arrivals through their Immigrant Protection Unit (IPU), has been pushing for this action since last year.
NEW YORK, NY — With the news of the Department of Homeland Security redesignating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to include arrivals from Venezuela after March of 2021, NYLAG President and CEO Lisa Rivera and IPU Director and Associate Director Jodi Ziesemer and Melissa Chua released the following statement:
“After months of advocacy from NYLAG, we are thrilled that recent arrivals from Venezuela are now protected and better able to pursue an immediate path toward work authorization and asylum protection for at least 18 months and hopefully longer. Thousands of asylum seekers will now have their legal posture drastically altered for the better—which we have been pushing for with this policy change since last year and will finally experience some humanity from our government instead of enforcement after their grueling journeys to New York City.
“For our clients that are already in removal (deportation) proceedings, this decision ensures real protection from deportation until their asylum cases can be heard. It also means recent arrivals can file for work authorization once the process becomes available, which our clients have consistently raised as a primary and immediate goal. Most importantly to us, this decision makes our clients less vulnerable in our city and less fearful of removal orders.
“With the imminent publication of TPS regulations, NYLAG celebrates this incredible first step as a win on behalf of our new neighbors. We will continue to advocate for the federal government’s expedited processing of applications to ensure that every individual can enjoy the full benefit of this relief, and we remain steadfast in working for our clients’ legal needs, safety, and wellbeing in this country.”
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