New program helps fast-track Venezuelans entry into US

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Joe Biden launched a two-prong approach to lessen illegal border crossings.
• Title 42 will now expel illegally-crossing Venezuelans back to Mexico, while a sponsorship program will allow up to 24,000 Venezuelans to enter legally if they apply while they are abroad.
• About 7,000 Venezuelans have already been approved under the program, which allows U.S.-based residents to sponsor them.

Venezuelans have been granted speedy entry into the U.S. under a new humanitarian program that allows U.S.-based sponsors to help bring immigrants safely into the country. Advocates said that the program’s available spaces could be filled up soon, with applications being approved within days or even hours.

Some of the sponsors are U.S.-based relatives of Venezuelans who are fleeing economic and political turmoil, while others are complete strangers willing to help.

While the program doesn’t explicitly state income requirements, roughly $23,000 is typically required to sponsor someone for a U.S. green card.

Since the program launched on Oct. 18, about 7,000 Venezuelans have already been approved.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters: “It is clear that this orderly and limited way to live and work in the United States is providing incentives to Venezuelans to not put their lives in the hands of smugglers.”

Sponsorship requests can be approved within a few hours, which is a huge step up from the normal immigration process that could take years.

Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden launched a two-pronged policy that discourages illegal border crossings. Title 42 will now expel illegally-crossing Venezuelans back to Mexico, while the sponsorship program will allow 24,000 Venezuelans to enter legally if they apply while they are abroad.

The program is modeled after a similar effort for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. Venezuelans approved through the program can reside in the U.S. for up to two years and apply for work permits.

U.S. sponsors do not have to be related to Venezuelans to apply, but they must have permission to reside in the U.S. Both sponsors and applicants should also pass background checks.

The program presents a safer alternative to a life-risking journey.

Record numbers of migrant crossings were reported during the Biden administration, including 187,000 Venezuelans in the fiscal year 2022 alone.

According to U.S. officials, the number of Venezuelan border encounters decreased by 80% a week after the announcement of the new program.

Source: Reuters