The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless are hailing the Biden Administration’s decision to grant Temporary Status to Venezuelan immigrants, creating a legal pathway for thousands to find stability and to secure employment.

“We applaud the White House’s recognition of the on-going humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, and urge Washington to continue to work towards humane and just immigration reform,” reads a statement from the organizations.  “We hope that this is the beginning of the White House devoting increased aid to New York City to ensure that all new arrivals are provided the assistance they need after experiencing unimaginable hardship and trauma to get here.”

In July, Legal Aid led a coalition of advocates who called on President Biden to take this specific action, which is a common-sense solution that will help Venezuelan asylum seekers obtain self-sufficiency in the United States quickly and efficiently.

Legal Aid and its partners continue to call on all levels of government, including Albany, to their part in supporting new arrivals with appropriate shelter and services.