For Immediate Release: September 21, 2023
Contact: Michael Earls at [email protected]
TheDream.US Scholars from Venezuela React to TPS Redesignation
Washington, DC – On Wednesday, the Biden Administration announced Temporary Protected Status (TPS) redesignation to include new protections and opportunities for additional Venezuelans residing in the United States.
According to Gaby Pacheco, Director of Advocacy, Communications, and Development at TheDream.US: “The TPS redesignation for Venezuela advances our shared belief that individuals who are part of our communities should have the opportunity to support themselves, obtain an education, and become contributing members of our society. The announcement not only adds important new stability and deportation protections for Venezuelan families, but also new opportunities for work authorization, allowing for more substantial contributions to the communities that have welcomed them. For us at TheDream.US, it’s also an opportunity for our program to assist additional young Venezuelans who meet our criteria to apply for our Scholarship. These newly eligible individuals will undoubtedly add to the successes of more than 100 current and former TheDream.US Scholars born in Venezuela who have relied on TPS.”
Below, hear from several current TheDream.US Scholars originally from Venezuela reacting to this week’s TPS redesignation:
- Andrea, Biochemistry, student at University of Central Florida class of 2026: “The extension of TPS for Venezuelans, along with welcoming new applicants, stirs a deep sense of hope and determination within my family and me. It means we can keep building our lives in the United States, with the confidence of legal status, access to education, and the opportunity to chase our dreams. This decision doesn’t just offer security; it fills us with the promise of a brighter future for all of us, and a hope that I’ll be able to fulfill my dreams of one day becoming a doctor and give back to my community.”
- Luis, Business Economics student at Florida Atlantic University class of 2024: “I was born in the Venezuelan and moved to the U.S as an asylum seeker at the age of 14. I’m 21 now and a senior and TheDream.US Scholar at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) majoring in Business Economics. I hope to work as a financial advisor after I graduate. I financially support my family here in the U.S. and in Venezuela. Without this scholarship and opportunities through TPS, I wouldn’t have been able to go to school, live with legal status or work authorization, or be able to move up on the professional ladder. This means everything, really, for my family and I.”
- Mauro, History/Education student at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley class of 2025: “I am a Venezuelan with TPS. I am currently attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and hope to graduate in Spring 2025. I want to get a Bachelor’s degree in History and become a high school history teacher here in Texas. This extension and redesignation means that now my whole family will be able to keep making their lives here. Two cousins of mine arrived here on the Advanced Parole program and their future looked really uncertain, like they might have to keep bouncing around between countries. But now things are looking up.”
- Samuel, Computer Science, student at University of Central Florida class of 2025: “I attend the University of Central Florida, thanks to TheDreamUS, and I’m majoring in Computer Science and I plan on utilizing my degree to become a programmer working on data science. As a Venezuelan immigrant, this decision means the world to me. Me and my immediate family were fortunate enough to leave Venezuela and have had legal status, but other members of my family after me have not. They have had to go through horrible things just in pursuit of a better life. This decision means that they now have a chance to improve their lives and not feel rejection from the country they are seeking refuge in.”
- Arianna, Graphic Design, student at Florida Atlantic University class of 2024: “The news that TPS will be extended gives my family and me a sense of security. I have been in the US for around ten years; I have spent most of my life here, and it can be very frustrating and limiting to hold a pending status when all I wanted was to grow and support my family.”
- Valentina, student at University of South Florida class of 2028: “I am a TheDream.US Scholar attending the University of South Florida. TPS has been a blessing that came to my life when I needed it the most. After the uncertainty over how I would go to college or be able to support myself without living in the shadows, TPS gave me hope, allowed me to keep dreaming and continue to build my future. As a young girl, my dream was to tell stories and give a voice to people like me through media like animation and video games. TPS is aiding me to make this possible and giving a voice to thousands of people who just want to succeed in this country and be a part of it.”
- María, Business, student at Broward College class of 2027: “Last night, when my family and I received the news of the TPS redesignation, we cried in happiness. This brings such a relief for us, since it’s 18 more months of work, 18 more months of me having a scholarship, 18 more months of being safe for me and my family and other Venezuelans who didn’t have a place to stay.”
About TheDream.US
TheDream.US is the nation’s largest college and career success program for undocumented immigrant students, having provided more than 10,000 college scholarships to Dreamers attending over 80 partner colleges in 21 states and Washington, DC. We believe everyone, regardless of where they were born, should have equitable access to a college education, a meaningful career, and opportunities to contribute to the communities they call home. For more information on TheDream.US, visit www.thedream.us
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