In a move that has sparked both hope and concern, the Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it would grant work permits to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants who have already entered the United States. The decision, which extends "Temporary Protected Status" (T.P.S.) to over 400,000 Venezuelans, was welcomed by Democratic leaders in cities overwhelmed by the influx of migrants who are unable to work legally. The goal is to provide Venezuelans with the opportunity to earn enough money to move out of overcrowded shelters, especially in cities like New York where the cost of housing them has become a burden.

However, there are fears that this move may backfire and attract even more Venezuelan migrants to cross the border. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned that anyone who arrived in the US after July 31 would be removed if they were found to have no legal basis to stay. Julia Gelatt, the associate director of the U.S. immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, noted that research has not established a clear link between T.P.S. and increased migration. She emphasized that the decision to flee a country is primarily driven by the deteriorating conditions in their home countries rather than the specifics of immigration policies.

Gelatt also pointed out that most Venezuelans who reach the United States take a dangerous and lengthy route through the treacherous Darien Gap, Central America, and Mexico. Therefore, the potential effects of the T.P.S. extension may not be apparent for some time. However, Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, expressed concerns that the Biden administration's pattern of granting extensions would incentivize more Venezuelans to take their chances at the border, assuming they would be included in the next extension of T.P.S. in 18 months.

Democratic leaders, particularly those from New York, have been advocating for the expedited work authorization for Venezuelan migrants for months. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and party leaders in Congress argued that the city's social safety net would be overwhelmed without the ability for recently arrived migrants to work and support themselves more quickly. Mayor Adams called the decision an "important step" that would provide hope to Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in the city's care.

Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, also applauded the Biden administration's decision and emphasized that the number of Venezuelans who have entered the United States in the past two years is only a fraction of the seven million Venezuelans who have fled the economically devastated nation during that time. He stressed that the reason behind the mass migration is not T.P.S., but the rapidly deteriorating conditions in their home country.

The Biden administration's decision comes after intense advocacy from New York Democrats and follows a joint statement by Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, highlighting the estimated impact of the decision on the large number of migrants currently residing in the state. They expressed their support for the move, emphasizing that it would allow immigrants to work and support their families while awaiting an asylum determination while reducing the cost to taxpayers in providing shelter for asylum seekers.

Democratic leaders in other states, such as Illinois, have also praised the decision, as the increasing number of migrants strains budgets and resources. There are concerns among Democratic candidates and political strategists that the ongoing crisis could negatively impact their standing among voters, especially in key swing seats. Republicans in New York, in particular, have wasted no time using the issue to stoke a sense of chaos and Democratic discord in races for these critical seats.

The Biden administration's decision was part of a broader set of actions aimed at addressing the influx of migrants attempting to cross the border. It was announced as President Biden was leaving New York City after a four-day visit for the United Nations General Assembly. While the president did not directly address the migrant crisis in his public schedule, he held a private meeting with Governor Hochul to discuss the issue during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hochul described special status for Venezuelans as one of their top priorities.

The administration had previously extended humanitarian protections to around 250,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the country by March 2021. However, officials were cautious about extending it more broadly, fearing it could create a new incentive for migrants to attempt to cross into the country. Mayor Adams thanked the White House for the decision but continued to push for special protections for tens of thousands of migrants from other nations. The city of New York is currently providing shelter to 60,000 asylum seekers, and Adams estimates that housing, education, and healthcare could cost the city $12 billion in the coming years.

To assist New York City, the White House has secured $140 million in emergency funds and has requested more from Congress. Additionally, dozens of federal officials are on the ground in the city to identify other migrants who are already eligible for employment but have yet to file applications. White House officials argue that meaningful immigration system overhaul can only be achieved by Congress, as it would affect the flow of migrants and the rules surrounding employment eligibility. However, they have not hidden their displeasure with Mayor Adams's outspoken criticism, and other Democrats have pointed out that Republicans are now quoting his comments extensively to attack President Biden and the Democratic Party.