New York, NY – The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invited VIA (Venezuelans and Immigrants AID) and other vital organizations to participate in a roundtable discussion on the pressing issues facing immigrants in the US.
The roundtable provided a platform for addressing critical questions and concerns from the immigrant community. Hector Arguinzones, Director of VIA, raised a crucial question: “When the P4CHNV program ends in October 2024, what will happen to those not eligible for TPS? What will happen to those who came two years ago and don’t have an asylum case to file?”
In response, Samantha Enokian, Policy Advisor from the Office of Policy & Strategy, provided insights, stating, “I will do my best to answer this question. As long as they reside in the US before July 31, 2023, they should be eligible for TPS. This is probably half of the Venezuelan population under the parole process. Family-based adjustment, asylum claims—we don’t know what will happen politically in the following months. We recommend that this population analyze their legal possibilities.”
Jesse Rylander, VIA’s Communication Coordinator, highlighted the challenges immigrants face. “In our experience, many asylum seekers find misinformation and misconceptions about their immigration process, struggle to find legal representation or a way to pay for it, and face the complexity of the process because, among other problems, it can be overwhelming due to language barriers.”
Other critical participants from USCIS included Carrie Selbie (External Affairs Directorate), Tamika Gray (District Director), Scott Velez (Deputy District Director), Eva Millona (Chief of External Affairs Directorate), and Laura DeMayo (Chief of Staff). Representatives from VIA also included Liliana Torella, who is the Leadership Coordinator.
The roundtable underscored USCIS’s commitment to engaging with non-profit organizations and community leaders to understand better and address the challenges faced by the growing migrant community. The dialogue emphasized the importance of accurate information, accessible legal representation, and ongoing support for those navigating the complex immigration process.
The event occurred on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the USCIS Field Office in the Jacob Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY.