TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Several Florida lawmakers are continuing to call on Congress to grant temporary protected status to Venezuelans entering the United States, as a result of the political upheaval in the South American nation.
The regime of President Nicolas Maduro continues to hold power in Venezuela, even as many within the country and across the globe doubt the legitimacy of last year’s election results.
President Donald Trump has recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Top Florida leaders, including Governor Ron Desantis and Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott also support Guaido.
A non-binding memorial filed in the Florida legislature calls on Congress to stop the deportation from the United States of Venezuelans nationals while their turbulent home country is not politically stable.
Democratic State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith is sponsoring the House memorial.
“We should be welcoming those Venezuelan refugees who are seeking asylum in the United States, with temporary protected status from deportation," said Smith.
Smith’s measure has yet to be heard by a legislative committee. There are an estimated 150,000 Venezuelan immigrants living in Florida. Similar legislation to that being discussed in Tallahassee has also been filed in Congress by Senator Rubio and two Florida Congressmen.
Another memorial filed in the Florida legislature calls on Congress to urge the Maduro government to allow humanitarian aid into the country, while asking for stronger sanctions against Venezuela as long as Maduro remains in power.
