Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Intervention to End Deportation Protections for Venezuelans
The Trump administration has filed an emergency application with the US Supreme Court, seeking to end deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the United States. This move comes after a federal judge ruled that the Homeland Security Secretary lacked authority to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program.
According to court documents, the justice department argued that the lower court's ruling was "erroneous" and that the secretary had the power to end the TPS program, which has been in place since 2020. The administration claims that ending the protections is necessary for national interest concerns, but critics argue that it would have devastating consequences for Venezuelan nationals living in the US.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has sought Supreme Court intervention on this issue. In a previous case, the court declined to hear the appeal, allowing the lower court's ruling to stand. However, with the current application, the administration is seeking to overturn that decision and end the TPS program once and for all.
The TPS program was established by President Joe Biden in 2020, granting deportation protections to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who fled their home country due to economic hardship and persecution. The program has been a lifeline for many Venezuelan nationals living in the US, allowing them to work, study, and live without fear of deportation.
According to immigration advocates, ending the TPS program would have severe consequences for Venezuelan nationals living in the US. "This move is a clear attempt by the Trump administration to undermine the rights of Venezuelan nationals living in the US," said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce. "We urge the Supreme Court to reject this application and uphold the lower court's ruling."
The case has significant implications for the lives and livelihoods of Venezuelan nationals living in the US. If the Supreme Court grants the administration's request, it would pave the way for the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who have made the US their home.
A decision on the application is expected in the coming weeks. In the meantime, immigration advocates are urging the public to contact their elected officials and express opposition to the Trump administration's efforts to end the TPS program.
Background information:
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program was established by Congress in 1990 to provide deportation protections for nationals of countries experiencing conflict or natural disasters. In 2020, President Joe Biden designated Venezuela as a country eligible for TPS due to economic hardship and persecution.
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), over 300,000 Venezuelans have been granted TPS since its inception in 2020. The program has allowed them to work, study, and live without fear of deportation, providing a sense of security and stability for many Venezuelan nationals living in the US.
The Trump administration's efforts to end the TPS program have been met with opposition from immigration advocates and lawmakers who argue that it would have devastating consequences for Venezuelan nationals living in the US.
This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and The Guardian.
