A Legal Battle Puts Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans on Hold
In a significant legal development, the Trump administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans has been halted by a federal judge. The impending revocation of TPS, scheduled to take effect next week, has been paused, providing relief to many affected families.
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen issued the order in San Francisco, safeguarding the status of approximately 350,000 Venezuelans set to lose their TPS on April 7. This reversal follows Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to rescind protections initially granted by the Biden administration.
In his ruling, Judge Chen criticized the move by Noem, highlighting the potential for “irreparable harm” to those affected and the broader economic implications for the U.S. He stated that the government had not shown any “real countervailing harm” that justified the termination of TPS for Venezuelans.
The lawsuit, brought by the National TPS Alliance, extends nationwide and challenges the authority of Noem’s decision. The judge’s order also includes provisions for the government to appeal the decision, and for plaintiffs to seek further injunctions for other groups, such as 500,000 Haitians whose TPS will expire in August.
Pablo Alvarado, co-executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, emphasized the significance of the ruling for the migrant community, stating, “Today is a good day for the migrant community in this country.”
The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to the ruling. TPS, established in 1990, provides deportation relief to those from countries impacted by disasters or conflict, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. for up to 18 months at a time.
This legal confrontation marks a stark contrast to the immigration policies of former President Joe Biden, who had expanded TPS and other protections. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has been vocal in its opposition to such measures, often critiquing judicial decisions that block its policies.
During a recent hearing, TPS holders’ attorneys argued that Noem’s actions were unauthorized and racially motivated. Despite government claims of broad authority, Judge Chen found these arguments unconvincing, citing derogatory remarks from Noem and Trump as evidence of racial bias.
Under Biden, TPS and similar programs were expanded as part of a strategy to provide legal pathways for immigrants. However, the Trump administration’s recent actions signal a shift, now targeting temporary protections for over 530,000 individuals from various countries through humanitarian parole.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
