(Sergio Ortiz Borbolla/WOLA)

Dear John,

The past few weeks have been eventful for our Venezuela and Migration cross-cutting teams at WOLA. We were heartened by the Biden administration's decision on September 20 to re-designate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan citizens, providing much-needed relief. However, we're deeply troubled by yesterday's perplexing decision from the Department of Homeland Security to resume direct deportations of Venezuelan migrants, despite the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Venezuela. We firmly believe that the U.S. should ensure the right to due process in all deportation cases, including the right to seek international protection.

In addition, we've closely followed the upcoming elections in Venezuela and the recent report from the UN Fact Finding Mission. This report underscores the deteriorating state of civic and democratic space in the country. Our program assistant, Sienna Woo, has authored a compelling article shedding light on the distressing conditions faced by women who are arbitrarily detained. They endure appalling gender-based violence, torture, and humiliation within detention centers. This issue demands our unwavering attention and concerted efforts toward achieving justice.

Our entire WOLA team has been working tirelessly, engaging with numerous media outlets, particularly on migration issues. Additionally, we're thrilled to introduce a new feature in our newsletter – weekly cultural recommendations for events in the D.C. area related to Latin America.

We thank you for your support and dedication to human rights in Latin America.

Best,

Laura Dib

Director for Venezuela

🇲🇽 Last week marked nine years since the enforced disappearance of 43 teaching students from Ayotzinapa. WOLA continues to follow and advocate for truth and justice for the victims and their families. Learn more here.

Maureen Meyer, VP for Programs

– El Universal, Migrantes atrapados, crisis desbordada. ¿Hay solución?

"I would love to see the presidents of Mexico, Colombia & Venezuela talking about the importance of the press operating in an environment free of violence and with all guarantees,”

Carolina Jiménez, WOLA President

– LA Times, Opinion: Struggles between Gustavo Petro and Colombia’s media stir Latin American populism

"This is incredibly important to the victims families [...] Those family members had to deal with the stigma of supposedly being family members of guerrillas.”

Gimena Sanchéz, Director for the Andes

– AP, Colombia’s government issues long awaited apology for extrajudicial killings during armed conflict

Mariakarla Nodarse, Assistant Director for Cuba

– VOA, ¿A qué se debe que Cuba esté en la lista de estados patrocinadores del terrorismo?

In April 2022, WOLA launched its one-of-a-kind Border Oversight Database, which documents hundreds of reports of human rights violations and abuses against migrants and asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. 

📍WOLA is looking for it's next Finance and Operations Coordinator who will support the Vice President of Finance and Operations with day-to-day bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, and general virtual and in-person office support.

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