Darren Soto
03/25/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/25/2026 11:52
Soto Files Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Venezuela TPS Act of 2025
Soto Files Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Venezuela TPS Act of 2025
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March 25, 2026
The discharge petition currently has 31 signatures and needs 218 to move forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-09) filed a discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 3310, the Venezuela TPS Act of 2025, legislation designating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status. H.R. 3310 was introduced on May 8, 2025, by Rep. Soto and Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25).
"The Trump Administration has stripped Venezuelans of Temporary Protected Status, parole, and other critical protections, as well as unjustly deported refugees during a time of major instability in their country. In Central Florida, thousands of Venezuelans have fled political violence and joined family members already living in the United States, contributing to our economy, and working hard to help our community grow," said Rep. Soto, Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. "Now that the country is under Delcy Rodríguez's grip after the Administration ousted Dictator Nicolás Maduro with no plan to transition to democracy, it would be deeply insulting to turn our backs on this vulnerable group. I appreciate the support from my fellow Members on this discharge petition and urge leadership to bring the Venezuela TPS Act of 2025 to the floor for a vote immediately."
"While it is encouraging to see signs of progress and a potential path forward for Venezuela, much work remains to be done, and the country is still not safe for many people to return. Until conditions meaningfully improve, we must uphold our commitment to those we granted Temporary Protected Status while ensuring strong criminal vetting measures remain in place," said Rep. Salazar."This discharge petition is about doing the right thing, pushing Congress to act and stand on the side of those who fled repression and instability."
"Right now, law-abiding Venezuelan TPS recipients are treated like criminals by Trump Administration officials who behave like criminals. It's simply wrong to strip away people's legal status and rip them out of the workforce to send them back to the same dictatorship they fled," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "I'm proud to fight alongside my colleagues to defend South Florida's Venezuelan community from these unwarranted attacks as we work towards a pathway to citizenship for hardworking Venezuelan families."
"We stand firmly with Rep. Soto in filing this discharge petition to force a vote on critical protections for Venezuelans. With Venezuela in chaos and Venezuelans facing real threats to their safety, this is not the time to strip away their protections-it is the time to strengthen them," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. "That is why the CHC is proud to have endorsed H.R. 3310, the Venezuela TPS Act of 2025."
"The National TPS Alliance is organizing the nearly 1.5 million immigrants who have registered, been vetted, paid taxes, and passed background checks year after year and call America home. By trying to gut TPS, the Administration is hoping to expel people living and working here legally, paying fees and taxes, following all the rules," said National TPS Alliance Coordinator Jose Palma. "We welcome the discharge petition filed by Rep. Soto as a critical lifeline for Venezuelan TPS holders who are currently facing detention and deportation. We will continue fighting until Congress provides every TPS holder a path to permanent residency."
"Temporary Protected Status is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans rebuilding their lives in this country after fleeing a devastating humanitarian crisis. In recent months, our community has endured profound uncertainty, fear, and instability. Venezuelans do not have a safe country to which they can return. The situation on the ground remains unchanged, regardless of how it is portrayed," said Venezuelan American Caucus Executive Director Adelys Ferro. "We are deeply grateful to Congressman Soto for his leadership, and we also deeply appreciate the support of members of Congress standing with our community. This initiative reflects the urgency and humanity this moment demands and the values this country stands for."
"Immigrants with TPS work in essential jobs, serve our communities, and contribute billions to our economy. There's no doubt that Venezuelans with TPS would face danger and hardship if returned to their home country, which remains unstable following Nicolás Maduro's ouster," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Rocío Sáenz. "They deserve safety and protection. We urge members of Congress to support this discharge petition to safeguard Venezuelans and also support the effort to extend TPS for Haitians, who face a similar peril."
"Venezuelan migrants have become an integral part of our communities. They are our neighbors, co-workers, caregivers, and should be recognized for their societal contributions," said Alianza Americas Executive Director Dulce Guzman."Venezuela remains unsafe for return due to severe political instability-further exacerbated by the illegal actions taken by the Trump Administration-alongside economic collapse, and the critical humanitarian conditions people continue to endure. These realities make TPS protections essential."
"Every day, we bear witness to the harm of this Administration's cruel targeting of immigrant families, stripping people of their lawful status, taking away their ability to support their loved ones, and pushing them toward deportation to countries still facing deep instability," said We are CASA Executive Director George Escobar. "U.S. policies have helped shape the conditions people are fleeing, and it is unacceptable and against our national interests to forcefully send them back into danger. These efforts to force a vote on extending temporary protections for Venezuela and Haiti are a critical opportunity for Congress to answer the call from the vast majority of Americans for immigration policies grounded in decency and common sense, and to keep families together instead of forcing communities to live in fear. Congress must pass these protections and stand with immigrant communities fighting to live and work with dignity."
"The Trump Administration's attack on TPS is an attack on our communities. Stripping protections from Venezuelans and forcing people back to countries in crisis is both dangerous and morally indefensible. At a time when hundreds of thousands have built lives here, Congress cannot stand by while families are pushed into instability and harm. No one should be sent back to danger because of political delay or inaction," said UndocuBlack Network Executive Director Patrice Lawrence. "UndocuBlack Network stands in support of Rep. Soto's discharge petition and calls on Congress to act with urgency. TPS exists because returning people to unsafe conditions is not just bad policy, it is a violation of our shared values."
This discharge petition is part of a joint effort with Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), who filed a discharge petition on January 22 to require the Trump Administration to extend TPS for Haiti for three years.
"The Trump Administration's attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans is inhumane and unlawful," said Rep. Pressley. "The labor, talent, and contributions of Venezuelans and our immigrant neighbors are essential to the success of our communities. To deport these community members during a moment of humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is dangerous and unjust, and we are pushing back in the courts and in Congress to extend TPS for Venezuelans and affirm their humanity and home here."
In addition to Rep. Soto, 30 Members are currently signed on the Venezuela TPS Act of 2025dischargepetition. It will need 218 signatures to move forward.
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Darren Soto published this content on March 25, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 25, 2026 at 17:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]