The Biden administration has broadened Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela, opening the door for nearly 500,000 migrants to qualify for work permits.
Users posted their strong opposition to the plans online.
NY Struggling With Large Numbers of Venezuelans
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Cities across the United States, notably New York, have been contending with a significant influx of migrants fleeing Venezuela’s economic and political turmoil. These new proposals could potentially expand the American workforce by approximately 500,000 individuals on a national scale.
New York Spent an Estimated $1.7 Billion on Sheltering Migrants
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According to a report from the MPI (Migration Policy Institute,) New York City spent an estimated $1.7 billion on food and shelter for migrants, amongst other services, by the end of July.
New York Mayor Pressures Biden to Grant Migrants Work Permits
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New York Mayor Eric Adams had been urging President Joe Biden to grant migrants access to employment. The city has been facing severe challenges in providing shelter for tens of thousands of migrants.
A Large Portion of Migrants Are Venezuelan
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In a recent statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul stated that 41% of asylum seekers in NY are from Venezuela. The New York State Governor has also been a strong advocate of work permits for migrants.
Federal and State Government “Not Providing Enough Aid.”
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New York Mayor Eric Adams, a member of the Democratic Party, held the federal and state governments responsible for insufficient assistance, which has hindered the city’s ability to provide housing and essential social services for incoming asylum seekers.
Migrant Work Permits Provide “Needed Relief”
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a joint statement stating that granting permits was a “welcome step forward” and “will provide needed relief to New York’s systems straining to support newly arrived immigrants.”
Almost a Quarter of a Million Granted TPS in 2021
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Approximately 243,000 Venezuelans have already been granted this status under a policy from 2021, which was renewed in the previous year.
DHS States Protected Status Is Warranted
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The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the extension of protected status for Venezuelans was justified based on the country’s current situation and the “increased instability and lack of safety.”
Their Home Country Prevents a “Safe Return”
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“Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated.
“Let Them Work”
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“Our administration and our partners across the city have led the calls to ‘Let Them Work,’ so I want to thank President Biden for hearing our entire coalition, including our hard-working congressional delegation, and taking this important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care who will now be immediately eligible for Temporary Protected Status,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said.
Migrants Will “Be Removed” if They Arrived After July
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Migrants who have arrived after July 31 will “be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed.
New York Democrats Promise Savings to NY Tax Payer
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Democratic leaders are attempting to gain public support for the plans by arguing that migrant work permits will reduce costs to New York taxpayers by lowering the costs of shelters.
“The decision will also substantially reduce the cost to New York taxpayers with respect to the sheltering of asylum seekers,” said Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries in their joint statement.
“Exploitable Cheap Labor”
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People took to social media over the news to voice concerns. An online user alleged that issuing work permits would help human traffickers and result in “exploitable cheap labor.”
“It’s just exploitable cheap labor, and in the end, that helps no one but human traffickers and under-handed CEOs. No matter how many deliveries they do, they’re not going to make enough to afford rent, and there are plenty of delivery drivers out there already.”
Migrants Don’t Want to Work.
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Another user posted that migrants do not want to work and are just seeking free benefits.
“Only 3% even showed up to apply for work permits. These people have no interest in working in the first place,” a user wrote, adding that the migrants only came to get stuff for “free.”
Many Migrants Won’t Even Qualify.
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Further adding to the conversation, a user feared that the plans were encouraging thousands of migrants a week to flock to NYC.
“TPS expansion has a cutoff date of July 31. NYC is getting literally thousands of migrants per week, including many new arrivals from Venezuela. Not a single one of these people qualifies for TPS, given the timeline cutoff. US southern border saw a surge of Venezuelan migrants after TPS was announced in 2021 because everyone wanted to get in on the next expansion. Literally the same thing is going to happen now.”
A Silver Bullet for Democrats
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Others believe that the new TPS status was just a political move by Democrats and the Biden Administration.
“It’s a silver bullet for getting more democrat voters,” one user wrote.
Granting Work Permits Is a Good Alternative
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However, some users have come out in support of the plans.
“I think it’s a good alternative to having them rely on government benefits the whole time they are waiting,” said one online user.
Immigrants Are Good for the Economy
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“It’s worked for the US for over 200 years. Almost every economic study has shown that working immigrants are a net gain for the economy. Ultimately the birth rate in the US is below replacement level. Without immigration, the economy would be at risk of significant recession as it ages,” said another user, suggesting that the influx of migrants would benefit the US due to its aging population.
Migrants Can Fill the Labor Shortage
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“Get them training and working and fill the various shortages we have. Infrastructure is always there needing fixing and Biden has shown to be happy to fund it,” posted another user.
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