HOUSTON — The Trump administration is set to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans who applied in 2023, leaving thousands of immigrants potentially facing deportation and uncertain futures. The decision, announced Monday, will impact Venezuelan immigrants who have been living and working legally in the United States.
Starting in April, many Venezuelans currently protected under TPS will no longer be able to renew their permits, which have traditionally been renewed every 18 months. This change means that without the protective status, numerous immigrants could become undocumented and face potential deportation.
Immigration attorneys and local activists are expressing deep concern about the implications of this policy change. Naimeh Salem, an immigration attorney, described the situation as “very scary for them” and noted that TPS has been crucial in allowing immigrants to get established.
“You can get social social security, you can get a work permit, you can get a drivers’ license. You can also get a travel permit,” Salem said.
Cindy Vivas Esteban, a Venezuelan activist, emphasized the precarious situation many immigrants now face.
“We are very worried,” she said. “Most [Venezuelans] don’t have any other option. And going back to Venezuela is dangerous for them.”
The decision comes after an agreement with Venezuela to receive migrants—a development that political science expert Mark Jones notes was not possible during the previous administration. Jones said many Venezuelans actively supported Trump in the 2024 presidential campaign now find themselves facing potential deportation.
Jones described the situation as a “double whammy” that could “upend their lives,” especially for those who believed Trump would stand firmly against Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
The impact extends beyond individual immigrants, potentially affecting local businesses and employers who have hired these workers or whose employees have started their own businesses under TPS protection.
As the situation develops, many Venezuelans are left wondering about their future in the United States, with legal and personal uncertainties looming large.