Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani visited Lulla's restaurant in Brooklyn, where he joined Venezuelan New Yorkers, community members, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of International Affairs Ana Maria Archila, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs Faiza N. Ali and volunteers packing food, medicine and other critical supplies for families affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. The restaurant has become one of the region's largest donation hubs for earthquake relief.
"In moments like this, it is ordinary people who show us what solidarity looks like. That is exactly what is happening at Lulla's," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "New Yorkers are stepping up to care for people they've never met because they understand our humanity does not end at our borders. As families in Venezuela grieve unimaginable loss, we will stand with Venezuelan New Yorkers here at home. And we will keep demanding that the federal government redesignate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela and restore humanitarian protections for those living in the United States. After two major earthquakes and years of political instability, no honest person can argue that Venezuela is safe to return to."
On June 24, two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela near the coast west of Caracas. More than 2,000 people have died, and the United Nations estimates as many as 50,000 remain unaccounted for. The disaster struck a country already grappling with years of economic and political crisis, leaving hospitals and emergency services overwhelmed.
"New York City is home to a growing Venezuelan community. For thousands of families across the five boroughs, this is not a distant tragedy - it is deeply personal. Within hours of the earthquakes, Venezuelan New Yorkers organized," said Commissioner of International Affairs Ana Maria Archila. "Restaurants, businesses and volunteers transformed more than 20 locations across the tri-state area into donation hubs. Ivo Diaz turned Lulla's into one of the first and largest collection sites. Our administration is identifying ways the city can support these community-led relief efforts while sharing our expertise as Venezuela moves emergency response to the long work of recovery and rebuilding."
The federal government moved to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, ending protections that had been scheduled to remain in place through October 2026. Although a federal appeals court found that decision unlawful, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have already lost their protected status while the litigation continues, and the remaining TPS designation is set to expire later this year.
"For the thousands of Venezuelan New Yorkers who call our city home, this tragedy is not far away. They are anxiously trying to reach loved ones while finding every possible way to get lifesaving resources to families recovering from these devastating earthquakes," said Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs Faiza N. Ali. "Today's visit to Lulla's reflects the very best of New York City: our compassion, our resilience and our commitment to one another. We will continue working alongside community leaders to support relief efforts across our city. This disaster has deepened an already severe humanitarian crisis. We urge the federal government to use every humanitarian tool available, including authorizing Deferred Enforced Departure or redesignating Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela, so Venezuelan families can remain safely in the United States while continuing to support their loved ones here and abroad."
New Yorkers who want to help can volunteer at Lulla's, 169 Graham Ave. in Brooklyn.
