FAIR Statement Opposing H.R. 549, the TPS for Venezuela Act

“The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) firmly opposes H.R. 549, legislation that mandates a grant of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans. While FAIR recognizes the hardships facing the Venezuelan people languishing under an oppressive dictatorship, a TPS designation would do nothing to change the conditions in Venezuela. In fact, it would almost certainly make things worse by encouraging more people — including those best equipped to resist the Maduro regime — to abandon their country. Furthermore, this bill could make the humanitarian crisis at our own border even worse as it would result in thousands of Venezuelans rushing to the United States to obtain a de facto amnesty, rather than temporarily relocating to a neighboring nation. Instead of providing TPS to nationals of yet another country, Congress should pass legislation that reforms the long abused program by establishing clear time limitations and creating statutory tests that must be met to grant the TPS designation.”