(22 News WWLP – Ellen Fleming) The Biden Administration made some 470,000 migrants from Venezuela who arrived in the country since July 31st of this year eligible for Temporary Protected Status, an immigration designation now includes 16 countries affected by war and other temporary conditions that make it unsafe or impossible to return migrants there.
Dozens of state Senators and House members signed a letter that was sent to President Biden and leaders of Congress urging comprehensive federal legal immigration reform.
Local officials told 22News that they want more communication from the state as this influx of migrants continues while the state is asking the same of the federal government. Officials at all three levels are looking for more funding to stabilize the lives of these families who fled crises and to alleviate the pressure on public systems.