US SC allows Trump to revoke protected status for Venezuelans
In a significant blow to approximately 350,000 Venezuelans living in the United States, the Supreme Court of the United States has allowed the Donald Trump administration to revoke their Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The TPS was granted by the Obama administration in 2015, following the political and economic crisis in Venezuela, which has continued to worsen over the years. The revocation of TPS is set to take effect on November 9, 2025, leaving many Venezuelans facing the prospect of deportation.
The decision, which was announced on May 19, 2025, has been met with widespread criticism from advocates for immigrants and human rights organizations. The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds a lower court’s decision, which had previously allowed the Trump administration to end the TPS program for Venezuelans.
The TPS program was established in 1990 to provide temporary protection to foreign nationals who are unable to return to their home countries due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary and temporary circumstances. In 2015, the Obama administration designated Venezuela for TPS due to the country’s political and economic crisis, which has led to widespread food and medicine shortages, hyperinflation, and a lack of access to basic services.
In 2021, the Biden administration extended TPS for Venezuelans until November 9, 2025. However, the Trump administration had previously attempted to terminate the program, citing the improvements in Venezuela’s political and economic situation. The Biden administration had challenged the Trump administration’s decision in court, arguing that the country still faced significant humanitarian and political challenges.
The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to revoke TPS for Venezuelans is seen as a significant setback for the immigrant community. “This is the largest single action stripping any group of non-citizens of immigration status in modern US history,” said a lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the case.
The revocation of TPS will have significant consequences for the estimated 350,000 Venezuelans living in the United States, many of whom have built lives and communities here. The decision will also have significant economic and humanitarian impacts, particularly for the US cities and communities where many Venezuelans reside.
The decision has also been criticized for its lack of compassion and its potential to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. “This decision is a betrayal of the trust and compromise that many Venezuelans had with the US government,” said a spokesperson for the Venezuelan American community.
Advocates for immigrants and human rights organizations have also expressed concern that the decision will have a chilling effect on the ability of people to seek asylum in the United States. “This decision sends a message to people around the world that the US is not a safe haven for those fleeing persecution and violence,” said a spokesperson for the American Immigration Council.
The decision is also seen as a significant blow to the Biden administration’s efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The administration had argued that the TPS program was necessary to provide temporary protection to Venezuelans who were unable to return to their home country due to the ongoing crisis.
In a statement, the Biden administration expressed disappointment with the decision and pledged to continue advocating for the rights of Venezuelans. “We are disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration’s termination of TPS for Venezuelans to stand,” said a spokesperson for the White House. “We will continue to work with Congress and advocate for the rights of Venezuelans to ensure that they receive the protection and assistance they need.”
As the clock ticks down to the November 9, 2025, deadline, many Venezuelans are left wondering what the future holds. Will they be forced to return to a country that is still grappling with a humanitarian crisis? Or will they be able to find a way to remain in the United States, where they have built lives and communities?
Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the decision to revoke TPS for Venezuelans is a significant setback for the immigrant community and a reminder of the ongoing challenges and complexities of the US immigration system.
News Source:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-end-deportation-protection-venezuelans-2025-05-19/
