The Center for Justice and Peace (CEPAZ) and Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) issued a statement expressing deep concern over the decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suspend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan citizens. The measure will affect approximately 348,202 people, whose protection will expire in April 2025, according to information from AP News. Both organizations warn about the risk of mass deportations and the humanitarian implications this entails.
The TPS was granted to Venezuelan citizens in 2021 due to the political and humanitarian crisis in their country, which has led to more than 7.7 million people emigrating, according to data from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The United States has been one of the main destinations for this migration, offering temporary protections that are now at risk of being eliminated.
According to CEPAZ and VIA, the suspension of TPS could leave thousands of people who have built their lives in the U.S. unprotected, creating uncertainty about their immigration status and safety. They also warn that the crisis in Venezuela has not improved, making a safe return for these migrants unfeasible.
Why did the U.S. suspend TPS for Venezuelans?
Since 2015, more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country due to the economic, political, and social crisis, according to data from UNHCR. The lack of access to basic services, hyperinflation, and political persecution have been key factors in the mass migration.
The United States has been one of the main destinations for Venezuelan migrants, with thousands granted TPS, a status that allows them to work and reside legally in the country without risk of deportation. The initial TPS designation for Venezuela in 2021 was in response to the severe humanitarian crisis in the country, which, according to CEPAZ and VIA, has not improved enough to justify the suspension of protection.
How does the suspension of TPS affect Venezuelans in the U.S.?
The statement emphasizes that this decision threatens the stability and security of thousands of Venezuelans who could be returned to a country where their fundamental rights remain at risk. Additionally, CEPAZ and VIA warned that another 250,000 TPS beneficiaries, whose designation remains in effect, fear this decision may be the first step toward a more restrictive policy that could leave them equally unprotected.
The organizations argue that the DHS’s justification for revoking TPS is flawed. According to CEPAZ and VIA, the claim that the situation in Venezuela has improved does not reflect reality, as the country remains mired in a humanitarian crisis. They cite data showing that 70.6% of the population lacks sufficient income to afford the basic food basket and that access to healthcare is extremely precarious. They also warn about the increase in state repression and the shrinking of civic space, particularly after the 2024 post-election crisis.
Another key point in the statement is the rejection of the narrative linking Venezuelan migrants to criminal organizations. According to data from the Department of Homeland Security itself, fewer than 1% of TPS beneficiaries have records related to criminal activity. CEPAZ and VIA argue that this unfounded characterization fuels discrimination and xenophobia against the Venezuelan community in the United States.
What are the human rights implications of suspending TPS?
The principle of non-refoulement, recognized in international law, prohibits the forced return of individuals to countries where they face risks of persecution or human rights violations. CEPAZ and VIA argue that the suspension of TPS for Venezuelans in the United States could violate this principle, exposing deportees to retaliation, arbitrary detentions, and political persecution.
As a reference, the organizations cited recent cases of asylum seekers deported by Iceland who faced serious abuses upon returning to Venezuela. They also warned about the political use of deported migrants, who have been labeled as traitors and subjected to persecution by the Venezuelan government.
What legal actions are being taken against the suspension of TPS?
Since the implementation of TPS for Venezuela in 2021, thousands of Venezuelans have obtained temporary work permits and protection from deportation. However, AP News reported that the administration of Donald Trump has pushed for more restrictive immigration policies, including the revocation of TPS for certain groups.
Several organizations have filed lawsuits to reverse the DHS decision. According to AP News, plaintiffs argue that the suspension of TPS is discriminatory and unconstitutional. The lawsuits aim to block the termination of the program before it takes effect in April 2025, relying on precedents where courts have halted the termination of similar temporary protections.
How has the international community reacted?
CEPAZ and VIA urged the U.S. administration to reconsider the measure and ensure the continuation of TPS for Venezuelans who depend on this status. They also called on the international community and multilateral organizations to demand respect for and protection of the rights of Venezuelan migrants and refugees.
The organizations emphasized that the crisis in Venezuela is not over and that international protection remains necessary for those fleeing persecution, extreme poverty, and violence. In this context, they warn that the suspension of TPS could further worsen the situation for thousands of people who rely on this protection to live safely and with dignity in the United States.
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