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 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 filed an emergency application on Friday, asking the justices to lift a federal judge's ruling that Kristi Noem, the former South Dakota governor and acting homeland security secretary, did not have the authority to end the TPS program. This is the second time the Trump administration has sought Supreme Court intervention on this issue.
The TPS program was established in 1999 to provide temporary protection from deportation for nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict or natural disasters. In 2020, the Trump administration terminated the program for Venezuela, affecting approximately 320,000 individuals living in the US. However, a federal judge ruled last month that Noem lacked authority to terminate the program.
The Trump administration's latest move has sparked concerns among immigration advocates and Venezuelan nationals living in the US. "This is a desperate attempt by the Trump administration to undo the protections they themselves terminated," said Maria Praeli, executive director of the New American Economy. "We urge the Supreme Court to reject this application and uphold the rule of law."
The case has significant implications for the lives and livelihoods of Venezuelan nationals living in the US. Many have built their lives here, working, studying, and contributing to their communities. According to a report by the Center for American Progress, terminating TPS would result in the loss of approximately $3.5 billion in economic activity annually.
The Supreme Court is expected to review the case in the coming weeks. If the justices grant the Trump administration's request, it could lead to the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the US. However, immigration advocates remain hopeful that the court will uphold the federal judge's ruling and protect the rights of these individuals.
In a statement, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said: "The Trump administration's attempt to undo the protections they themselves terminated is a clear example of their disregard for the rule of law. We urge the Supreme Court to reject this application and uphold the rights of Venezuelan nationals living in the US."
As the case continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the lives of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the US hang in the balance. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for immigration policy and the lives of individuals affected by it.
This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and The Guardian.
