Venezuelans in NY question how their temporary legal status will be handled in aftermath of Maduro's capture
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans in New York are either undocumented or living with a temporary legal status.
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Venezuelans in New York are concerned about their legal status and safety after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was capture by the United States' military.
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans in New York are either undocumented or living with a temporary legal status.
Niurka Melendez is an asylum seeker from Venezuela. She told News 12 on Sunday she could not believe her eyes when she saw Maduro land in New York in handcuffs.
"Thank you for giving me the life and the good health to witness this," Melendez said.
Melendez's celebration was backed by years of pain after she was forced to leave her home country with her husband and son in 2016. Shortly after becoming asylum seekers, Melendez turned her fear into purpose, co-founding a community support group, Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid. The group provides resources from English classes and legal orientation to other undocumented individuals.
Among the group she works with are Temporary Protected Status holders. The temporary legal status will end in October after Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced Venezuela was no longer eligible for the protection. On Sunday, Noem shared more on the status.
"Every individual that was under TPS has the opportunity to apply for refugee status, and that evaluation will go forward, but we need to make sure that our programs actually mean something and that we're following the law and that's how that decision with TPS was made," she said.
As Venezuelans in New York keep an eye out for more updates, many are looking forward to Maduro's federal court appearance on Jan. 5.
