Trump admin ends deportation protections for massive number of Venezuelans amid illegal immigration crackdown
The Trump administration is making significant changes to the deportation shield for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the U.S. This move comes as President Donald Trump has reached an agreement with Venezuela to take back its nationals. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that over 300,000 nationals protected by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are having their statuses revoked in 2023.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provides protection from deportation and allows work permits for nationals from countries deemed unsafe for them to return. Last year, then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced extensions for TPS for Venezuela, as well as El Salvador, Sudan, and Ukraine, for an additional 18 months. However, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently announced that the extension for Venezuela is being revoked, leading to the premature end of the status for these individuals.
Republicans have raised concerns about the broad use of the TPS program, with more than 17 countries designated under the Biden administration. The Trump administration has been working to limit the use of TPS and has indicated its intention to continue doing so in the second term.
Venezuelans were among the top nationalities entering the U.S. during the border crisis from 2021 to 2024. Many Venezuelans also entered through a parole policy for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, which has now been ended by the Trump administration. Trump announced that an agreement has been reached with Venezuela to take back its illegal immigrants, including gang members.
The Trump administration has been focused on securing the border and increasing deportations and removals from the U.S. This includes ending parole programs, restricting asylum use, and deploying the military to the southern border. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently visited the southern border, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently touring Latin America, and Defense Department Secretary Pete Hegseth is heading to the southern border to assess the situation.
These changes come amidst ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to address immigration and border security issues. The administration is working to enforce immigration laws and protect the integrity of the U.S. border. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the Venezuelan community in the U.S. and the broader immigration landscape.
