Meek Calls for President Trump to Extend TPS for Venezuelans, Halt Deportations in Light of Catastrophic Humanitarian Disaster

Kendrick Meek, candidate for Florida's 24th Congressional District, issued this statement on the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela:

“The news out of Venezuela following Wednesday's earthquakes is absolutely devastating. My heart breaks for the people of Venezuela and the families across South Florida waiting in agony for news of their loved ones. With more than 900 lives tragically cut short, this is a humanitarian emergency of catastrophic proportions.

“South Florida and Venezuela share unbreakable cultural, economic, and familial bonds. Miami is home to the largest Venezuelan-American diaspora in our nation; when Venezuela bleeds, our community feels the pain deeply.

“We cannot, in good conscience, send people back to a disaster zone. It is inhumane to deport individuals back to an area where infrastructure has collapsed and emergency services are overwhelmed.

“I join immigration advocates in our community in calling on President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security to immediately halt all deportations to Venezuela and fully restore Temporary Protected Status. Forcing Venezuelan families back into danger right now goes against every basic principle of human dignity and compassion.”