A 10-year-old Venezuelan girl living in New York City is worried about the potential loss of her family’s protected legal status in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). With 350,000 Venezuelans holding TPS since it was granted in 2021 due to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, the recent Supreme Court order complicates their situation. Concerns arise as the Trump administration seeks to rescind these protections.
Families are left feeling anxious and betrayed, as TPS is critical for those fleeing violence and crises in their homeland. Parents, including the girl’s mother, express distress over how this uncertainty impacts their children and their future. Many TPS holders have built lives and jobs in the U.S. only to feel that their safety is slipping away.
The TPS designation allows beneficiaries to stay in the U.S. legally for up to 18 months, with the possibility of extensions. However, litigation is still ongoing to determine the future of TPS for Venezuelans, as the Biden administration previously extended it until 2026, but plans to end it surfaced under Trump.
Several Venezuelans shared their worries about returning to a country plagued by violence and shortages. One political scientist experienced fear and frustration after seeing the Supreme Court’s order, feeling that her rights are being undermined after taking all necessary steps to secure her status.
Grassroots activism within the Venezuelan community aims to counterbalance the paralysis of fear caused by policy shifts and promote awareness about available legal resources. Immigration attorneys report a surge in inquiries from TPS holders, emphasizing the importance of documentation and exploring alternative immigration paths to navigate the uncertain landscape.
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