Leaders of Venezuelan organizations in Florida called this Wednesday for a vote against the immigration legislative initiatives being discussed in the state Senate, which they describe as a “direct attack on the Venezuelan community” in the state.
The bills SB 1808 and HB 1355 “are a direct attack on the community of Venezuelans in Florida,” the leaders of the organizations point out in a letter sent to the president of the Florida Senate, Wilton Simpson, as well as to the state governor, Ron DeSantiswhich considers the approval of these legislative measures as a priority.
The signatories of the letter, who include María Corina Vegas, coordinator of the American Business Immigration Coalition Action, indicate that many of the Venezuelans in Florida covered by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have their work permits delayed by the bureaucratic jams at government immigration offices.
outraged Venezuelans
“As written, this legislation would define us as ‘unauthorized aliens’ because our applications for work permits are delayed due to causes beyond our control,” claimed the signatories of the letter also addressed to the authors of the projects, Senator Aaron Bean (SB 1808) and Rep. John Snyder (HB 1355).
“All these people want, our family, our neighbors, is to be able to work to support their families. It is a scandal that this bill jeopardizes their ability to do so, injects instability and uncertainty into their long-term plans, “they added in the text, also sent to Senator Kathleen Passidomo and the president of the state House, Chris Sprowls.
The signatories, including Casa De Venezuela Orlando founder William Diaz, stress that Venezuelans are “a key and growing part of Florida’s communities and economy.” As well as a “proud tradition of immigrants” that make this state an “economic power.”
Political reasons
“This bill was made for political reasons. We have seen too many times in the Americas and now in Europe when powerful men engage in intimidation and political theater, hurting innocent children, workers and families.”
“That’s wrong in Ukraine, it’s wrong in Venezuela and it’s wrong in Florida,” they said.
The bills in question, among other aspects, intensify the measures against the “sanctuary cities” of undocumented immigrants.
They also block contracts with state-owned companies to companies that, by order of the administration of the president of the United States, Joe Biden, transport undocumented a Florida.
In February, business, religious and civil rights leaders demanded that DeSantis stop using immigrant minors as a “political weapon.”
They also asked that the decree to close the shelters that take in undocumented children who arrive in the country without their parents be suspended.
Among them were the Catholic Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski. As well as the businessman Mike Fernández, a member of the American Business Immigration Coalition Action and a former and important donor to the political campaigns of conservative candidates.