Venezuelans fear deportation as Trump administration ends TPS: ‘Beyond betrayed’
Trump's order revoking TPS status for almost 350,000 Venezuelans in 60 days would be 'suicidal' for some if they're sent back; others would be jailed, an activist said.
The Trump administration’s latest immigration shakeup has sent tremors through the Venezuelan community, as some face a possible return to a country whose regime has been dubbed illegal by the U.S.
The Trump administration revoked Temporary Protected Status for almost 350,000 Venezuelans who are in the U.S. Also, the protection will end in 60 days instead of October. Those affected will no longer have temporary protection from deportation or work permits that TPS allows.
Venezuelan activist Beatriz Olavarria said that, for some, “returning would be almost suicidal.” Many Venezuelans have fled amid brutal crackdowns on protests against the government and struggles for basic goods such as food and medicine.
“Some of those people that are here, that have spoken about the situation in Venezuela on cameras and everywhere, they set foot in Venezuela and they will be jailed,” Olavarria told NBC6 South Florida.
The latest TPS revocation is part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing effort to conduct mass deportations in the country, purging it of immigrants without permanent legal status. Trump pledged to target violent criminals in his campaign, but people with TPS have permission to be here and must pass criminal background checks to be eligible.
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