U.S. Ends Deportation Protections for 348,000 Venezuelans – What Happens Next?

U.S. removes deportation protections for 348,000 Venezuelans

Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, made the announcement on Monday that the safeguards against deportation for over 348,000 Venezuelans who were living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be terminated.

This was a significant departure in the United States’ immigration policy.

Reuters reports that as a result of this action, which is a component of the increased immigration crackdown that former President Donald Trump has implemented, thousands of individuals could be subject to deportation and lose their work permits as early as April.

“Notable improvements” in Venezuela’s economy, public health, and crime rates were listed as reasons for the termination of the protections by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Many Venezuelan families living in the United States, on the other hand, are in utter disbelief and dread for their future.

“I don’t know what will happen,” Ana Maria Pirela, a Venezuelan migrant who is 26 years old and has temporary protected status, said in an interview with Reuters.

I am currently two months pregnant, and yesterday, my husband was dismissed from his work. He had been managing a grocery shop for two months, and he had been there for two months. I have no desire to return to Venezuela at this time.

Beatriz Olavarriat, an activist from Venezuela, has issued a warning that the possible repercussions of withdrawing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Venezuelans within the next sixty days might be catastrophic.

Some people could be put in danger of losing their lives if they go back to Venezuela, while others could be sentenced to prison.

“Some of those people who are here, who have spoken about the situation in Venezuela on cameras and everywhere else, they set foot in Venezuela, and they will be jailed,” Olavarria said in an interview with NBC6 South Florida.

The reversal of initiatives implemented during the Biden administration

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was enlarged by former Vice President Joe Biden, providing refuge to over one million people from seventeen other countries, including Venezuelans who had escaped political and economic instability.

During his leadership, a significant number of people arrived through legitimate humanitarian channels. Because of the tense relationship between the United States and Venezuela, deporting them has proven difficult.

On the other hand, in accordance with Trump’s revised immigration policy, Kristi Noem terminated an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans last week and terminated automatic renewals for six months on Monday.

Although there are around 300,000 Venezuelans who still have TPS visas that are valid until September, their future is still unknown.

ICE detained a friend and her spouse the day before yesterday. According to Tatiana Vazques, a Venezuelan immigrant currently residing in Atlanta, “there is anguish.”

Her family has submitted an asylum application to the United States of America, but they are living in constant fear as a result of recent arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

What comes after this?

Another program that was implemented during the Biden administration that allows approximately 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who have sponsors in the United States to lawfully reside and work in the country is also being considered for termination by the Trump administration.

Sources who are aware with the situation have indicated that this decision may be made within the next several weeks.

In the meantime, Venezuela continues to struggle with its economic situation. In spite of President Nicolas Maduro’s efforts to rein in inflation, the minimum pay for each month is only three dollars. There is continued resistance to Maduro both at home and abroad.

He began his third term in office in the midst of election disputes and ongoing charges of drug trafficking brought against him by the United States, which he denies.

Since the political and economic crisis in Venezuela became more severe under the leadership of Nicolás Maduro and the sustained dominance of Chavismo, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that more than 7.7 million people have fled the country.

By underlining the terrible circumstances that migrants would suffer if they were forced to return, the Venezuelan opposition has encouraged the United States to maintain the Temporary Protected Status (TPS).