(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) The Biden administration has once again extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nearly 470,000 Venezuelan nationals living in the United States, igniting a firestorm of criticism.
The decision follows an unprecedented influx of foreigners into New York City and grants them special status and work permits.
Critics argue that this decision will have a detrimental impact on American workers and will further exacerbate the ongoing mayhem at the southern border.
Alejandro Mayorkas, the embattled DHS secretary, defended the decision claiming without evidence that some Venezuelans are unable to have a “safe return.” In a Thursday press statement, Mayorkas clarified that only those who arrived before July 31 would be eligible.
Despite Mayorkas’s assurances, border patrol officials are fed up with the move. Fox News journalist Bill Melugin reported on Thursday that immigration officials are confident the move will lure more Venezuelans to the already-chaotic southern border in the hope of a new TPS extension next year.
“We’ve completely lost control of the southern border and how smart do you have to be to figure out what will happen next, if you give 470,000 Venezuelans work permits, you’re going to get another million to come.” — @LindseyGrahamSC@RobFinnertyUSA @AlisonMaloni @RichardGrenell pic.twitter.com/pnqbtydQTB
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) September 21, 2023
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., took to Newsmax to voice his concerns. “We’ve completely lost control of the southern border and how smart do you have to be to figure out what will happen next,” Graham stated. “If you give 470,000 Venezuelans work permits, you’re going to get another million to come.”
Immigration expert Todd Bensman accused some Venezuelan immigrants of committing fraud to obtain legal protections, alleging that some had been living safely and gainfully employed in other countries. “Here is all anyone need know for why Venezuelans need no humanitarian protection,” he said on Twitter, before sharing a damning report alleging the fraud.
GREAT question from CBS’s @EdOKeefe….
O’Keefe: “Who’s talking to Venezuela about why these people are still coming? Who’s talking to Panama about the Darién Gap and who’s allowing them to come in? And whatever happened to those State Department and Spain and Canada centers… pic.twitter.com/ZXjEWTKo05
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 21, 2023
Journalist Sarah Fields chimed in, remarking, “Last night, America became 500,000 Venezuelans richer. … And now they can have all the benefits, compliments of YOUR tax dollars.”
The White House is now facing questions about whether the administration is taking adequate steps to address the causes of the immigration crisis and prevent further influxes of illegal aliens.
“Who’s talking to Venezuela about why these people are still coming?” Ed O’Keefe, a CBS correspondent, asked Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary. “Who’s talking to Panama about the Darién Gap and who’s allowing them to come in?” He added.
