AUSTIN (KXAN) — Turmoil continues to grow in Venezuela following the presidential election that took place on July 28, local Venezuelans said they have faith and believe changes will come.
Last Sunday, July 28, elections were held in Venezuela between the candidates Nicolás Maduro Moro and Edmundo González Urrutia. González was the opposition party expecting to win the election but after votes were in, Maduro the current president declared himself the winner.
To this day the government still has not shown the results of all the votes, and there is speculation that the opposing party led by Marina Corina Machado has the actual results that Maduro was not the winner. The Venezuelan people both in Venezuela and outside are asking for transparency from the government requesting proof and votes showing that Maduro won the election.
Austin Immigration Attorney Iris Abizu said the Venezuelan government has been unfair and corrupt for many years. This is why, in the past couple of years, the United States has experienced an influx of immigrants seeking Asylum from Venezuela. Abizu said after these elections she expects that to continue.
“Right now we will probably see even more. The situation in Venezuela is getting worse in regards to oppression to the people. Right now, we have heard that there has been some illegal tensions, kidnapping from the government to people in Venezuela. I think that it’s going to bring a lot of fear to some of the people. So my expectation, is that there’s going to be more and more people from Venezuela seeking asylum,” Abizu said.
Saul Aguero, a local resident and owner of Fogonero Restaurant, fled from Venezuela in December 2016. After seeking asylum in the United States and making his way to Austin, Texas Aguero became a business owner—opening two restaurants that offer traditional Venezuelan comfort food, to bring a traditional Venezuelan home kitchen to Austin.
In the last week, Aguero has been uniting local Venezuelans to take to the streets in the Capital and express their frustration with the election results, demanding a change in government. This next quote has been translated from Spanish to English.
“All Venezuelans are tired of the government, all Venezuelans want this government out. This government is not the first to have a fraudulent election. The difference is now we have proof that they are stealing the elections and the world must react, different international organizations must react to support all Venezuelans. If not migration will be even greater than the 6 million Venezuelans that have fled so far,” Aguero said.
How does this political change affect Venezuelans in the United States?
Attorney Abizu said, at the moment, the United States has put in place certain immigration benefits for the Venezuelan people. One of these programs is TPS–Temporary Protected Status, which is also available to many other countries. TPS provides temporary protection for individuals seeking to flee their country from dangerous governments. With TPS individuals may also obtain a work permit to help them while they reside in the United States. This is only for a certain amount of time not forever.
The other benefit available is Asylum, which is a refugee status. After applying for asylum you receive a court date and must present yourself in front of an immigration judge and provide evidence for why you fled your country. You also must have made your way to a port of entry to seek Asylum. Once the application is complete and approved the United States grants you permission to work in the United States legally.
Abizu said individuals on TPS or in the United States going through the Asylum process should not panic. She said the election chaos should not affect the status of those benefits.
Should individuals on these US immigration benefits return to Venezuela?
Right now, Venezuelans in the United States may be anxious about what is happening in their home country. Sometimes the first thought is how their family back home may be doing and they may want to return home to protect them or help them flee for refuge. Attorney Abizu said that is not the best idea. If you are in the United States on TPS or Asylum protection you should especially not return to Venezuela. Returning may tell the government that your home country is safe to return to and is no longer oppressing you, essentially terminating your asylum protection order or TPS permission.
“I highly recommend, you do not go back to Venezuela. Try to resolve your case and then go from there. If you have TPS and you have to go back the other option will be that you need to ask for an Advance Parole, meaning a permission, so you can return back to the United States. That is a requirement for if you’re going back to Venezuela or any other country,” said Abizu.
She said it’s best to consult with an immigration attorney before making any decision that may negatively impact your protection status.