In the heart of Miami-Dade County, home to the largest Venezuelan-American community in the U.S., the city of Doral made a statement Wednesday by approving a resolution in support of the Venezuelan Adjustment Act, a congressional bill that seeks to provide permanent legal status for Venezuelan nationals who have sought refuge in the U.S. and would offer a lifeline to tens of thousands of people who have rebuilt their lives after fleeing the South American country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The resolution comes at a critical time for the Venezuelan community, which has been reeling from the Trump administration’s unstinting stance on immigration. The administration has labeled Venezuelans in general as criminals, tying the community to dangerous gangs like Tren de Aragua, and made the controversial decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status, which provides protections from deportation.
“The Venezuelan Adjustment Act will offer stability and legal protections; we urge federal action,” said Doral Councilman Rafael Pineyro, the only Venezuelan member of the council. Pineyro, the sponsor of the resolution, said it calls on lawmakers to champion policies that provide legal pathways to permanent residency for Venezuelan nationals, particularly in light of the suspension of TPS protections.
The Venezuelan Adjustment Act aims at granting permanent resident status to Venezuelan nationals who meet specific criteria, including having entered the U.S. on or before Dec. 31, 2021. First introduced in May 2022 by a group of Democratic lawmakers, the bill gained significant momentum in 2023 with bipartisan support from U.S. Reps. María Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Miami, and Central Florida Democrat Darren Soto. The bill was reintroduced in the House in February, with 16 sponsors, including Salazar, Soto, Broward Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Miami Democrat Frederica Wilson.
The Trump administration’s decision revoking TPS is facing multiple federal court challenges, which claim that the termination of deportation protections for Venezuelans is unlawful, politically motivated, racially biased, and part of a broader pattern of discrimination against non-European, non-white immigrants. The first federal hearing is scheduled for March 24.
“We urged President Trump and his administration to find solutions for law-abiding Venezuelans, and now we’re seeking permanent residency for those who meet specific criteria, including entering the United States before or on December 31st, 2021,” Pineyro added. The Doral City Council approved the resolution 5-0.
Venezuelans have a strong presence in Doral. About 40% of the city’s 84,000 residents are of Venezuelan descent. About 10,000 are U.S. citizens, representing a third of the city’s voters and holding significant influence in local elections.
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Currently, over 600,000 Venezuelans benefit from TPS, but the fate of more than half a million Venezuelans hangs in the balance. Around 350,000 are at risk of losing their deportation protection by April, with another 257,000 facing the same threat by September.
Several Venezuelans gathered at the council meeting in strong support of the resolution. Lissie Albornoz said that the Venezuelan Adjustment Act represents more than just a piece of legislation. “It’s a pathway to stability and opportunity for those who have fled dictatorship, political persecution, and economic collapse,” she said.
Albornoz shared her personal story as an example of the thousands of Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. years ago, worked hard, built businesses, raised families and contributed to their communities. Despite their efforts, the lack of permanent legal status has kept them in limbo, unable to fully plan for their future, she said.
“While your support is a huge step, we still need help from higher levels — our state leaders, congressional representatives, and national decision-makers. That’s why your voice matters. Resolutions like this demonstrate the unity and commitment of local governments in supporting immigrant communities,” Albornoz said.
However, with Congress currently under Republican control, the prospects of passing the Venezuelan Adjustment Act remain uncertain.
“We cannot lose hope that meaningful advocacy can still make a difference,” said Doral Mayor Christi Fraga said. She reassured the community that her office and the city would continue to advocate for the protection of Venezuelans, pushing for the extension of TPS and a clear path to legal status.
Despite the challenges, Mildred Rodriguez, CEO of My Voice Counts, a non-profit organization that has promoted the Venezuelan Adjustment Law, remains steadfast in trying to make the bill a congressional priority. She said the fight is about more than policy; it’s about securing stability for a community that has already endured immense hardship after fleeing a country devastated by political, economic and humanitarian crises. Advocates have already collected nearly 325,000 signatures in support of the bill, with plans to reach 500,000.
Rodriguez estimated that up to 400,000 Venezuelans could benefit from the bill.
Pineyro is also dedicated to raising public awareness about the dire conditions in Venezuela and the potential consequences of revoking TPS for Venezuelans across the U.S., particularly in Doral. The city could face a devastating economic collapse if the Trump administration’s decision to revoke TPS is not reversed. Many members of the Venezuelan community are business owners or employed in various businesses throughout the city, playing a key role in sustaining the local economy.
“I want to make it clear that the City of Doral remains committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of our Venezuelan residents,” Pineyro said. “That’s why we urge our federal representatives to support the Venezuelan Adjustment Act and work toward alternative solutions for those affected by the TPS suspension,”
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Verónica Egui Brito ha profundizado en temas sociales apremiantes y de derechos humanos. Cubre noticias dentro de la vibrante ciudad de Hialeah y sus alrededores para el Nuevo Herald y el Miami Herald. Nacida y criada en Caracas, Venezuela. Se unió al Herald en 2022. Verónica Egui Brito has delved into pressing social, and human rights issues. She covers news within the vibrant city of Hialeah, and its surrounding areas for el Nuevo Herald, and the Miami Herald. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Joined the Herald in 2022.