U.S. Supreme Court Allows Trump to Lift Deportation Protections for 350,000 Venezuelans

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily allowed the Trump administration to end protections for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), effectively overturning a lower court’s ruling that had blocked this action.

While the affected Venezuelans can still pursue legal challenges against the termination of their work permits, they will no longer be shielded from deportation. This decision means they face an uncertain future, as their TPS status was originally set to lapse on April 7.

U.S. District Judge Edward Chen had previously intervened, blocking the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) move to end the protections initiated by the Biden administration, which were extended until October 2026. Chen deemed the Trump administration’s actions as “arbitrary and capricious,” suggesting they were influenced by bias.

In his ruling, Chen criticized the government for acting based on negative stereotypes, calling it a “classic example of racism.” The decision was prompted by concerns about gang violence cited by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as justification for not extending TPS for Venezuelans who arrived in 2023.

Another 250,000 Venezuelans, granted TPS in 2021, are set to have their protections expire in September, although Chen’s order does not apply to them.

Under TPS, eligible individuals can live and work in the U.S. for 18 months, but this can be extended at the discretion of the DHS secretary. Critics of the Supreme Court’s ruling, including Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, condemned the decision as cruel and destabilizing, particularly for those fleeing oppression under Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Representative Pramila Jayapal also expressed concerns, highlighting the extreme dangers Venezuelans face, which warrant continued TPS protections.

This ruling is part of a broader array of immigration-related decisions currently facing the Supreme Court, including recent arguments regarding the end of birthright citizenship.

Last updated 2:13 p.m., May. 19, 2025