Mike Collins: “Reclaiming my time, I oppose this legislation which designates Venezuela for TPS status. Under Federal law, the DHS…”

“Reclaiming my time, I oppose this legislation which designates Venezuela for TPS status. Under Federal law, the DHS Secretary may designate a country for TPS if the country is unable to adequately handle the return of nationals or circumstances prevent it, which is actually happening right now in many ways. The TPS designation means nationals of a designated country inside the U.S. on the date of designation, legally or illegally, may apply to stay here and receive employment authorization. DHS has estimated that there are 270,000 such Venezuelan nationals currently in the country, and 123,000 are here illegally. Generally, TPS is designated for an 18-month period, and the country may be redesignated for 18-month increments. But if the country no longer meets the conditions for TPS designation, the Secretary must terminate the designation. Despite the fact Congress intended TPS to be a temporary protection, it has become permanent and automatically renewed. Contrary to Congress' intent, some countries have been designated for TPS for decades. The current administration has followed the law and terminated TPS for certain nations, but, of course, that has not been left alone. It has been stymied in the court. I oppose H.R. 549, but the Venezuelan people are in a dire situation, and thanks to the socialist policies of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro, I pray for regime change in Venezuela.…”