City With Largest Venezuelan-American Community in the U.S. Calls for Path to Residency for Some Venezuelan Immigrants

The City of Doral, home to the largest Venezuelan-American community in the United States, has passed a resolution in support of the Venezuelan Adjustment Act, a bill introduced in Congress that seeks to provide permanent legal status for Venezuelan nationals who entered the U.S. before or on December 31, 2021. 27,000 Venezuelans call Doral home, making a third of the Miami-Dade suburb's population.

The resolution comes as thousands of Venezuelan immigrants face uncertainty due to changes in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) policies.

"The Venezuelan Adjustment Act will offer stability and legal protections; we urge federal action," said Doral Councilman Rafael Pineyro, the only Venezuelan member of the city council and the sponsor of the resolution, according to The Miami Herald. The measure passed unanimously, with all five council members voting in favor.

The Venezuelan Adjustment Act was introduced on February 19 by U.S. Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL-09), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24). According to the bill, applicants must have been physically present in the United States for at least one year and must not have criminal records involving aggravated felonies or multiple crimes of moral turpitude. Spouses and children of qualifying individuals would also be eligible.

If enacted, the legislation would provide a pathway to stability for many of the 600,000 Venezuelans currently under TPS, which Donald Trump has revoked. About 350,000 Venezuelans stand to lose their deportation protection by April, with another 257,000 facing the same risk by September. The bill also includes provisions allowing those with final deportation orders to apply for adjustment of status without needing to reopen their cases.

Lissie Albornoz, an advocate for the Venezuelan Adjustment Act, emphasized the significance of the legislation. "It's a pathway to stability and opportunity for those who have fled dictatorship, political persecution, and economic collapse," she said. Albornoz highlighted that many Venezuelans have built lives in the U.S., started businesses, and contributed to their communities but remain in legal limbo:

"While your support is a huge step, we still need help from higher levels — our state leaders, congressional representatives, and national decision-makers. That's why your voice matters. Resolutions like this demonstrate the unity and commitment of local governments in supporting immigrant communities"

Doral Mayor Christi Fraga acknowledged the challenges of passing the bill in a divided Congress but remained optimistic. "We cannot lose hope that meaningful advocacy can still make a difference," she said. The city, she affirmed, will continue to advocate for Venezuelans and push for legal protections.

Councilman Pineyro stressed that the city would remain committed to advocating for Venezuelan residents. "That's why we urge our federal representatives to support the Venezuelan Adjustment Act and work toward alternative solutions for those affected by the TPS suspension," he said.

With Congress under Republican control, the bill's prospects remain uncertain. However, advocates continue pushing for its passage, emphasizing its impact on Venezuelan families, businesses, and the broader economic stability of cities like Doral, where Venezuelans make up about 40% of the population.