Threat of Deportation Looms for Over 300,000 Venezuelans in the US
Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the United States now have about 60 days before they face the threat of deportation after the Trump administration terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for them.
The Decision
The move comes as a one-two punch for Venezuelans who were already reeling from last week’s decision to rescind an 18-month extension of TPS, an extension introduced in the final days of the outgoing Biden administration. The decision will affect more than 300,000 Venezuelans who had TPS through April, giving them just 60 days before becoming vulnerable to deportation.
Defending the Decision
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Trump administration’s decision to terminate TPS for thousands of Venezuelans, stating that the program has been abused and lacks integrity. "The TPS program has been abused, and it doesn’t have integrity right now," she said. "We are ending that extension of that program, adding some integrity back into it, and this administration is evaluating all of our programs to make sure they truly are something that’s to the benefit of the United States, so that they’re not to the benefit of criminals."
Consequences for Florida
The revocations of TPS are certain to have profound effects in Florida, which has the largest number of TPS beneficiaries out of any state, more than half of whom are from Venezuela. "All people from Venezuela are very sad, right? Very ‘be careful,’ you know, because I don’t know what’s going on with this situation," said Jose Colina with the organization "Venezolanos Perseguidos Políticos en el Exilio." "A lot of people are in danger right now."
A Call to Action
Colina urged the government to take action to stop the decision, stating, "We are not numbers, we are human beings. You know, working, good jobs, follow the law. Why [do they] now make a decision that’s very bad for 600,000 people living in the United States?"
Conclusion
The fate of over 300,000 Venezuelans in the US hangs in the balance as they face the threat of deportation in just 60 days. With the revocation of TPS, their lives are being turned upside down, and their future is uncertain. It is imperative that the government takes immediate action to address this crisis and provides a solution for these individuals who have been living and working in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many Venezuelans will be affected by the termination of TPS?
A: Over 300,000 Venezuelans who had TPS through April will be affected.
Q: How much time do they have before becoming vulnerable to deportation?
A: They have 60 days before becoming vulnerable to deportation.
Q: What is the current situation in Florida, where many TPS beneficiaries are from?
A: The revocations of TPS are certain to have profound effects in Florida, which has the largest number of TPS beneficiaries out of any state, more than half of whom are from Venezuela.
