A view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, captured on November 2, 2024. AP Photo
The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to take away legal protections from about 350,000 Venezuelans. These protections had let them live and work in the U.S. safely. Now, many face the risk of deportation back to Venezuela.
The court’s decision paused a lower court’s ruling that kept these protections active. The Supreme Court didn’t explain why it made this decision, which is common in quick emergency cases.
What is Temporary Protected Status?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) lets people stay legally in the U.S. when their home countries are unsafe. It applies during natural disasters or violent conflicts. It gives them permission to work and avoid deportation while their home country is unstable.
Removing TPS for Venezuelans could be the largest move ever to end legal status for a large group in the U.S., said Ahilan Arulanantham, one of the lawyers helping Venezuelan migrants.
Families Face Tough Choices
“This decision will force families to be in an impossible position either choosing to survive or choosing stability,” said Cecilia Gonzalez Herrera, who is fighting to keep protections for herself and others. She said, “Venezuelans are not criminals. We all deserve the chance to thrive without being sent back to danger.”
Many Venezuelans fear going back home because of the ongoing crisis. Mariana Moleros, a Venezuelan lawyer, fled the country after getting death threats for speaking against the government. She and her family now live in Florida but fear deportation.
“Today we are all exposed to being imprisoned in Venezuela if the U.S. return us,” said Moleros. “They should not deport someone who is at risk of being assassinated, tortured and incarcerated.”
Legal Battle Continues
A federal appeals court had earlier refused to pause the government’s plan to end TPS while the lawsuit moves forward. A hearing is set soon before a U.S. district judge who had previously blocked the Trump administration’s efforts.
Homeland Security called the Supreme Court’s decision a “win for the American people and the safety of our communities.” A spokesperson said the Biden administration “exploited programs to let poorly vetted migrants into this country.”
Background on Venezuela’s Crisis
The political and economic crisis in Venezuela has pushed over 7.7 million people to leave since 2013. Inflation reached 172% in April, and President Nicolás Maduro declared an “economic emergency” last month. Maduro’s government is also known for cracking down on opponents.
The Trump administration has tried to remove protections not just for Venezuelans but also for Haitians and others. TPS for Venezuela began in 2021, and for Haiti in 2010. Recently, TPS for Afghanistan was also set to end.
What’s Next?
The lower court said ending TPS could hurt hundreds of thousands and cause billions in lost economic activity. But the administration argued the court was overstepping by interfering with immigration rules.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson opposed the emergency appeal, meaning she would have kept the protections.
The fight over TPS for Venezuelans is far from over. Many people face an uncertain future as the courts continue to decide their fate.
