The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the Trump administration can end deportation protections for thousands of Venezuelan nationals, delivering a blow to immigrant advocacy groups and reversing a key humanitarian policy from the Biden era. The 5-4 decision clears the way for President Donald Trump to dismantle Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans, affecting more than 300,000 people living legally in the United States under the program.
TPS was granted to Venezuelans in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden, citing the country’s economic collapse, political repression, and humanitarian crisis under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The designation allowed Venezuelan nationals already residing in the U.S. to stay temporarily and obtain work permits, shielding them from deportation.
However, President Trump, who returned to office in 2024, has argued that the situation in Venezuela has “stabilized sufficiently” to warrant ending the special status. His administration has maintained that TPS was being “abused” and that immigration relief must be reserved for only the most urgent and temporary crises.
In the majority opinion, the conservative-leaning court sided with the administration’s interpretation of the Immigration and Nationality Act, concluding that the executive branch has broad discretion to determine when TPS designations begin and end. “The statute does not bind the president to an indefinite timeline for humanitarian conditions abroad,” the opinion stated. “It is within the executive’s authority to re-evaluate and withdraw TPS designations when warranted.”
The ruling sparked immediate outcry from immigrant rights advocates, lawmakers, and legal experts who say the court’s decision will upend the lives of thousands who have built families, careers, and communities in the U.S.
“This is a heartless decision with devastating consequences,” said Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. “Venezuelan families now face the terrifying prospect of being forced back to a country in crisis.”
In a strongly worded dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor accused the majority of “abandoning America’s humanitarian commitments.” She argued that returning individuals to Venezuela could violate international protections against forced return, especially amid continued reports of political persecution and economic instability.
Democratic lawmakers also condemned the ruling. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a long-time advocate for Venezuelan TPS, said the court had “betrayed both moral responsibility and common sense,” warning of mass family separations and economic disruption.
On the other side, Republican leaders praised the decision as a victory for immigration enforcement and executive authority. “The Supreme Court reaffirmed that temporary means temporary,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson. “President Trump is right to restore order to our broken immigration system.”
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Homan said the administration would begin notifying TPS recipients of the change, which will include a grace period before deportations begin. Immigration attorneys estimate that unless Congress intervenes, tens of thousands could face removal proceedings by the end of the year.
Venezuelan community leaders in cities such as Miami, Houston, and New York reported a wave of fear and confusion following the announcement. Many TPS holders have U.S.-born children or are waiting for green card applications to be processed.
“We feel abandoned and betrayed,” said Maria Rodriguez, a TPS recipient and mother of two. “We came here for safety and worked hard to contribute to this country. Now we’re being told to go back to a place where there’s no future.”
Calls are growing among Democrats and immigrant advocates for Congress to pass legislation granting permanent residency to Venezuelan TPS holders. But with a Republican-controlled House and an uncertain Senate landscape, the path forward remains uncertain.
The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to have far-reaching implications, not only for Venezuelans but for future TPS designations under any administration—potentially reshaping the landscape of U.S. humanitarian immigration policy for years to come.
Source: Reuters
