Abstract
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A bipartisan group of U.S. Congress members has proposed the Venezuelan Adjustment Act, aiming to grant permanent residency to Venezuelan migrants who entered the U.S. before December 31, 2021.
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This is a significant step towards providing legal stability to the Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S., many of whom are unable to return to their home country due to the ongoing crisis.
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The article delves into the details of the proposed law and its potential implications.
In a significant move toward providing legal stability to Venezuelan migrants, four U.S. Congress members have introduced the Venezuelan Adjustment Act. This proposed law aims to grant permanent residency to Venezuelan migrants who entered the U.S. before December 31, 2021, and have been continuously present in the country for at least a year.
This is the second time such a measure has been presented to Congress. However, unlike the first attempt, which lacked bipartisan support, this time the bill is backed by both Democrats and Republicans. The bill was initially introduced by Democrats Darren Soto and Debbie Wasserman in May 2022 but did not pass the legislative agenda and remained under review by the immigration subcommittee.
The current proposal has the support of Republican Maria Elvira Salazar and Democrat Frederica Wilson. «They agree to support this bill because it is not immigration reform, it is immigration relief for many professionals,» said Mildred Rodriguez, director of My Voice Count, who has led the citizen initiative to promote the law in Congress.
The Venezuelan Adjustment Act: A Ray of Hope
The Venezuelan Adjustment Act could be a lifeline for thousands of Venezuelans living in the U.S. who face an uncertain immigration situation and cannot return to Venezuela due to the ongoing crisis. If approved, eligible individuals would have to apply for relief no later than three years after the bill becomes law. The proposal stipulates that those convicted of a serious crime would not be eligible.
The Cuban Precedent
The proposed law is similar to the Cuban Adjustment Act from the 1960s, which grants any Cuban who legally enters the U.S. and stays in the country for more than a year access to permanent residency. The intention with this law, according to Rodriguez, would be to «homologate the Cuban Adjustment Act.»
The Venezuelan Diaspora: A Growing Concern
The Venezuelan diaspora has been a growing concern in recent years, with the socio-political and economic crisis in Venezuela leading to a significant increase in the number of Venezuelans seeking refuge in other countries. The U.S. has been one of the primary destinations for these migrants, with the number of Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. tripling since 2010, according to the Migration Policy Institute. As of 2021, there were 545,000 Venezuelan immigrants living in the U.S., as per the U.S. Census.
The Role of My Voice Count
The citizen initiative My Voice Count, led by Mildred Rodriguez, has been instrumental in promoting the Venezuelan Adjustment Act in Congress. The organization has collected 182,333 signatures from citizens in support of the proposal. Rodriguez emphasizes that Venezuelan immigrants are an asset to the nation and not a public burden, a sentiment that resonates with many in the Venezuelan diaspora.
The Impact of the Venezuelan Adjustment Act
The Venezuelan Adjustment Act could have a profound impact on the lives of Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. The act would provide a path to permanent residency, offering these immigrants more stability and security. This is particularly important for those who are unable to return to Venezuela due to the ongoing crisis.
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar expressed her support for the act, stating, «Thousands of Venezuelans in Miami face an uncertain immigration situation and cannot return to Venezuela. I am proud to co-lead the Venezuelan Adjustment Act to provide shelter to those who have endured incredible suffering, so they do not have to return home to face the wrath of the dictatorship.»
The Road Ahead
The Venezuelan Adjustment Act still has to pass through Congress to become law. However, the bipartisan support it has received so far is a promising sign. If approved, the act could provide much-needed relief and stability for Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S., marking a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by the Venezuelan diaspora.
Conclusion
The proposed Venezuelan Adjustment Act is a significant step towards providing legal stability to the Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S. If passed, it would grant permanent residency to Venezuelan migrants who entered the U.S. before December 31, 2021, and have been continuously present in the country for at least a year.