Latest news with #TemporaryProtectionStatus
Axios
5 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Chicago braces for fallout as SCOTUS lets migrant protections end
The U.S. Supreme Court paved the way Friday for the Trump administration to rescind a Biden-era order that granted temporary protections for more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Why it matters: The court decision will affect thousands of migrants who were bused to Chicago before July 2023 and comes after a different ruling earlier this month allowed the administration to revoke protection for 350,000 Venezuelan nationals. Zoom in: Officials estimated that since 2022, the city has welcomed over 50,000 migrants from the southern border. 30,000 of those are from Venezuela. The big picture: The city and state shelled out millions of dollars to house Venezuelan migrants, which caused tensions between alders, communities and neighbors. Flashback: Expanding who qualified for temporary protections was one of several requests politicians in blue states made to the Biden administration so migrants in shelters could start working sooner. Congress created Temporary Protection Status in 1990 to offer protections to migrants fleeing natural disasters or war in their home countries. The protections typically last two years at a time, though the federal government has authorized TPS holders from various countries to renew their protections several times. What they're saying:"Without Temporary Protected Status, if somebody never applied for asylum, they are in fact eligible for deportation, and they're at risk for deportation," the Resurrection Project's Erendira Rendon told CBS Chicago. The intrigue: The court's Friday ruling was unsigned, which usually happens when justices rule on emergency cases. It also means legal challenges to the reversal can continue in lower courts and possibly end up in front of the Supreme Court again. White House officials have said migrants are a public safety threat and a drain on the nation's resources. Between the lines: This ruling comes as the Department of Homeland Security released a notice identifying hundreds of municipalities nationwide that have some sanctuary policy in place.
Washington Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Disney World cuts ties with Venezuelan workers who lost legal status
The Walt Disney Company became the first major employer to confirm they cut ties with Venezuelan employees with temporary protections, after the Supreme Court upheld the Trump administration's termination of their legal status. Disney notified 45 so-called 'cast members' who are Venezuelan workers who lost their Temporary Protection Status (TPS) that they are on leave without pay following the high court's ruling.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
What the end of TPS means for Venezuelans in the U.S.: Key questions answered
The end of Temporary Protected Status in the United States represents a potentially devastating reality for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who sought refuge in the U.S., many of them living in South Florida after escaping the regime of Nicolás Maduro. This situation is especially dire for those without a pending asylum case or family petitions that could allow them to remain legally in the U.S. for the time being. However, the Supreme Court's decision doesn't eliminate all legal options. It's essential for those affected to make informed decisions and seek legal counsel to fully understand their rights and what they can do next. Here are some of the key questions and answers: How does the revocation of TPS impact the Venezuelan community in the U.S.? Revoking TPS affects hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who have built their lives in the U.S. Many have families, businesses, and homes in the country. Without legal status, they could face deportation, leading to a serious humanitarian crisis, especially for those who have lived in the U.S. for many years. What happens when TPS for Venezuelans in the U.S. ends? When TPS ends, those with pending asylum applications can legally remain in the U.S. while awaiting a decision. Many Venezuelans have been waiting for years for their asylum cases to be resolved. For them, the end of TPS will have little immediate effect, as they can continue to stay legally while their applications are processed. What happens to work permits for those under TPS? The Temporary Protection Status provides work permits for its beneficiaries. Once TPS ends, these work permits become invalid, meaning those individuals lose their legal ability to work in the U.S. unless they obtain another form of legal status. What if someone traveled to Venezuela while under TPS? If a TPS recipient traveled to Venezuela after having abandoned their asylum case, they may have a serious problem. Such travel could undermine their credibility in the asylum process, particularly when they are required to pass test that they have 'credible fear' of being sent back to their country — a key part of seeking asylum. 'This is the segment of the population that worries me the most,' said Elizabeth Amarán, a Miami-based immigration lawyer. 'There were many people who withdrew their asylum cases when they had their TPS, and they did this often times because they wanted to travel to Venezuela.' What options do Venezuelans without asylum applications or family petitions have? Venezuelans without an asylum case or family petition face a more complicated future. They will likely fall out of status once TPS ends, which could trigger deportation proceedings. However, the ongoing political and social crisis in Venezuela offers a strong basis for those who choose to apply for political asylum, as the country remains under a repressive dictatorship with widespread economic hardship. What alternative options are there for TPS beneficiaries to stay in the U.S.? Once TPS is revoked, beneficiaries may apply for political asylum, either based on the one-year rule – the requirement that asylum seekers file their Form I-589 within one year of their last arrival in the United States — or by seeking 'withholding of removal,' protection from deportation. Although they will need to present strong cases, those who genuinely fear returning to Venezuela may have a legitimate basis to stay in the U.S. legally. What are the risks of filing an asylum case without proper grounds? It's crucial to understand that asylum applications should not be filed lightly. Immigration authorities may reject frivolous or unsubstantiated cases. Fraudulent asylum claims can have severe consequences. However, individuals who genuinely fear returning to Venezuela due to political persecution or violence have a solid basis for seeking asylum. How much time does the TPS recipient have to leave the country after the loss of status? If a TPS recipient loses their status and must leave the U.S., the government is unlikely to grant an extension to get their affairs in order. The only option may be to return to Venezuela, but doing so presents significant challenges, especially for those who have established lives, businesses, or families in the U.S. Can TPS holders apply for asylum if they're at risk of deportation? Yes, TPS holders facing TPS termination can apply for asylum without the immediate fear of detention. A pending asylum application allows them to stay in the U.S. while their case is decided. How should someone proceed if they wish to file an asylum application? It's important for anyone considering asylum to ensure they have a legitimate fear of returning to their home country. Asylum should not be used as a delay tactic. The application must be grounded in real fears of persecution or danger, as frivolous applications can lead to long-term negative immigration consequences. What should someone consider before filing an asylum application? Before applying for asylum, individuals should ensure they have strong and valid reasons for doing so. Genuine fears of returning to Venezuela — due to political repression or violence — could provide a valid basis for asylum. However, it's essential to avoid submitting unfounded claims, as this could jeopardize future immigration opportunities.
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Trump speaks with two voices on ‘safe' deportations to Venezuela
Despite the Trump administration's official claim that it can safely deport more than 500,000 Venezuelans back to their country because conditions in Venezuela have 'notably improved,' new reports from his own State Department and non-governmental organizations show that such assertion is — to put it mildly — a joke. A new 104-page report on Venezuela by Human Rights Watch says President Nicolas Maduro's dictatorship and pro-government armed groups 'have committed widespread abuses since the July 28, 2024 presidential elections.' The report cites killings, disappearances and cases of torture inflicted on protesters, bystanders and opposition critics since the fraudulent elections in which Maduro declared himself reelected for a new six-year term. However, such human rights violations, which were widely known in Venezuela and condemned by the State Department, did not stop the Trump administration from claiming that conditions are improving. In a statement published Feb. 5 in the Federal Register justifying its decision to terminate the Temporary Protection Status (TPS) designation that protects hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans from deportation, the Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that 'there are notable improvements in several areas such as the economy, public health and crime' in Venezuela that 'allow for these nationals to return safely.' Really? The economy, one of the reasons for the exodus of up to 8 million Venezuelans in recent years, is in shambles. After a post-pandemic recovery, Venezuela's economy will shrink by 1.5% this year, according to new projections by the U.N. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Inflation is skyrocketing and estimated at more than 100% for this year. Crime, another major reason behind the migration of millions of Venezuelans, remains a serious problem, with Venezuela's homicide rate among Latin America's highest. On Monday, the State Department issued a new travel advisory for Venezuela, emphasizing 'the extreme danger for U.S. citizens living in or traveling to Venezuela.' It says among other things that 'violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking are common' in the country. Venezuela has an annual homicide rate of 26 deaths per 100,000 people, according to the Venezuela Observatory of Violence. That makes it more dangerous than most other countries, including Colombia, Mexico and Brazil. 'It continues to be very high,' Observatory director Roberto León told me about Venezuela's homicide rate. 'It's the highest in the region, with the exception of Ecuador.' Leon added that the rate of violent deaths has fallen significantly from its 2017 peak, in part because of massive emigration. Still, Venezuela remains a highly dangerous country, he added. To make things worse, the Trump administration is not just seeking to deport Venezuelans back to their native country, but has also decided to drastically cut U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) foreign aid programs, including those aimed at helping Venezuelan refugees in 14 Latin American countries. Former USAID head Andrew Natsios told me that Trump's foreign aid cuts will affect Venezuelan refugees 'in a big way,' because 60% of the food that the World Food Programme distributes to refugees worldwide comes from USAID funds. 'A lot of that goes to Latin America for Venezuelan refugees,' Natsios told me. 'It's going to be a disaster.' Ironically, even Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Venezuela is a human rights disaster, even though — in a 180-degree turnaround from his previous stand as a senator — he now supports the mass deportations of TPS-holding Venezuelans. In recent months, Rubio described the Venezuelan regime as a 'horrible dictatorship,' and said that it 'has undermined Venezuela's institutions and violated human rights.' So what is it, President Trump? You can't have it both ways. Your administration cannot say with a straight face that conditions in Venezuela have 'notably improved' to justify questionable deportations of Venezuelans who are legally in the country with TPS status, while depicting Venezuela as a horrific outlaw state. It's time to end this political hypocrisy and shelve the deportation orders against the immense majority of Venezuelan immigrants without criminal records who, in most cases, do jobs that Americans don't want to do. Forcing them to return to a country that is still plagued by violence, political repression and economic hardship is not just economically short-sighted, but cruel. Don't miss the 'Oppenheimer Presenta' TV show on Sundays at 9 p.m. E.T. on CNN en Español. Blog:
CBS News
27-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
NYC officials call on Trump administration to stop TPS rollback for Haitians
Elected officials in New York City are standing alongside the local Haitian community to push back on the Trump administration's rollback of Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitians. The administration is ending the deportation protection extension for over 500,000 Haitian Americans as the island nation faces a humanitarian crisis. "For decades the TPS system has been exploited and abused. For example, Haiti has been designated for TPS since 2010. The data shows each extension of the country's TPS designation allowed more Haitian nationals, even those who entered the U.S. illegally, to qualify for legal protected status," the Department of Homeland Security said when they announced the rollback of TPS status. Homeland Security said an estimated 57,000 Haitians were eligible for TPS protections as of 2011 but by July 2024, that number had climbed to 520,694. According to New York City's Office of Immigrant Affairs, there are about 15,000 New Yorkers who have TPS, and 5,400 of them – more than one-third – are Haitian. Data shows TPS holders generate $260 million to the city's economy every year. "This is not about policy, it's about cruelty" City leaders are calling on Congress and the Trump administration to reverse the decision. Immigration advocates and elected officials, several of whom are Haitian New Yorkers, stood together at City Hall on Thursday. "If you come for Haiti, you have to come for all of us," said Robert Agyemang, with the New York Immigration Coalition. "Make no mistake, this is not about policy, it's about cruelty," New York City Councilmember Farah Louis said. "Everybody's scared. People are not going to school. It's anxiety that we have," New York City Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse said. "Emotionally, it's hard," immigration attorney Stephanie Delia said. "It's almost as if they're trying to criminalize certain communities for even existing," Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said. "From here, we're calling on Congress for support. We're calling on state and city to provide funding to our nonprofit organizations. Everyone deserves due process. Everybody needs representation," Louis said. Wednesday, CBS News New York's Jennifer Bisram went to Brooklyn's Little Haiti, where streets and businesses were deserted. "There's rumors stating that [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] are coming to the church to pick them up. Because of that, they stay home," said Rev. Leslie Thomas, a minister with Church of God in Harlem. "Those that who come to church, what we're doing, we tell them to believe, to pray." In the meantime, immigration advocates say they're been holding more virtual "Know Your Rights" sessions for people scared of leaving their homes.
