"Trump Seeks Supreme Court Ruling to Strip Venezuelan Migrants' Protections"

US Government Seeks Supreme Court Intervention to End Protections for Venezuelan Migrants The US government has, for the second time, asked the Supreme Court to intervene in a case involving its bid to end deportation protections granted to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the United States. The Department of Justice filed an emergency application on Friday, seeking to overturn a federal judge's ruling that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lacked authority to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the migrants. According to court documents, the Trump administration is attempting to strip legal protections from more than 300,000 Venezuelan migrants who have been living in the US under TPS since former President Joe Biden extended their status through October 2026. The move has sparked widespread criticism and protests from activists and advocacy groups who argue that the decision would put thousands of people at risk of deportation. The case stems from a federal judge's ruling last month that Noem did not have the authority to end TPS for Venezuelans, citing a lack of congressional approval. However, the Trump administration has argued that the judge's ruling was incorrect and is now seeking Supreme Court intervention to overturn it. "This is a clear attempt by the Trump administration to undermine the rule of law and disregard the rights of vulnerable individuals," said Maria Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). "We urge the Supreme Court to reject this application and uphold the judge's ruling." The TPS program was established in 1990 to provide temporary protection from deportation to nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict or natural disasters. In recent years, the program has been used to protect hundreds of thousands of migrants from various countries, including Venezuela. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there are currently over 600,000 Venezuelans living in the US under TPS. The majority of them have been living in the country for several years and have built lives, started families, and become integral members of their communities. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the case, but a decision is expected in the coming weeks. If the court grants the Trump administration's request, it could have far-reaching consequences for thousands of Venezuelan migrants living in the US. "We are confident that the Supreme Court will uphold the judge's ruling and reject this attempt by the Trump administration to strip protections from vulnerable individuals," said Rodriguez. "We will continue to fight for the rights of these migrants and ensure that they receive the protection and dignity they deserve." Background: The TPS program has been a contentious issue in recent years, with some arguing that it provides an unfair advantage to certain groups of migrants. However, advocates argue that the program is essential for protecting vulnerable individuals who are fleeing war, persecution, or natural disasters. In 2020, the Trump administration attempted to end TPS for several countries, including Venezuela, but was met with widespread opposition from Congress and advocacy groups. The Biden administration later extended TPS for Venezuelans through October 2026, citing ongoing humanitarian concerns in the country. Next Steps: The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case in the coming weeks. If the court grants the Trump administration's request, it could have far-reaching consequences for thousands of Venezuelan migrants living in the US. Advocacy groups and activists are urging the public to contact their elected representatives and express opposition to the move. "We urge everyone to speak out against this attempt by the Trump administration to strip protections from vulnerable individuals," said Rodriguez. "We will continue to fight for the rights of these migrants and ensure that they receive the protection and dignity they deserve." This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and Al Jazeera.