Caracas Chronicles

“We try to do things the right way,” says Alejandra, a Venezuelan who had been living in Houston as a TPS beneficiary. “Getting work permits, paying taxes. But now as they take away legal pathways, they’re making it impossible for us to respect this country’s laws.” 

On November 7th, 2025, the Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans was officially terminated, leaving 600,000 Venezuelans with no legal status or work authorization. The Department of Homeland Security terminated the TPS due to “notable improvements” within the country and because continuing the designations would be “contrary to national interest.” At the same time, the U.S. Department of State has issued travel warnings to Venezuela due to “high risk of wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.”

These contradictions within the current administration raise questions about the credibility and motivations behind the suspension of the TPS, with critics noting the DHS’s conclusions were arbitrary and capricious.

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a program administered by the Department of Homeland Security that provides lawful immigration status and work authorization to migrants who cannot return to their countries of origin due to an ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. The Biden administration designated the first TPS for Venezuela on March 8, 2021, in response to the complex humanitarian crisis. Then a second designation was issued on September 20, 2023 due to the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions.

Both the 2021 and 2023 TPS designations, have received multiple extensions as conditions in Venezuela persist. The latest extension given was on January 10, 2025, when the Biden administration announced another 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela, which ran from April 3, 2025, to October 2, 2026. At this time, both designations were extended until October 2, 2026.

The loss of work authorization has led experienced workers to lose their jobs in highly essential industries. The decision has left many beneficiaries uncertain about their future.

When the new administration took office, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem determined on February 5th, 2025 that Venezuela no longer met the conditions for the 2023 designation, and it was set to expire on April 7, 2025. Many advocates viewed the TPS termination as unjust, noting the Biden administration had already granted protections, and raised concerns over potential racial bias. On February 19, 2025, the National TPS Alliance sued the Department of Homeland Security based on the violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment.

On March 31, 2025, District Judge Edward Chen granted a preliminary injunction in NTPSA v. Noem, stating the DHS secretary lacked authority to end TPS protections granted by the Biden administration, allowing TPS protections to continue until October 2, 2026, while the case proceeded.

However, the Trump administration appealed the court’s decision on May 19, 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court stated that the administration could proceed with ending TPS for Venezuela under the 2023 designation while legal challenges to the decision continue in the lower courts. 

On August 29, 2025, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Judge Chen’s reasoning, finding the Secretary lacked the authority to “vacate” a prior TPS extension under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Up until this point, the 2023 TPS designation was the only one facing legal challenges. However, on September 3, the DHS announced that the TPS protections for Venezuela under the 2021 designation would also be terminated. 

On September 5, Judge Chen issued a final order on the merits of the case NTPSA v. Noem. The judge’s decision blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS for Venezuela, restoring the Biden-era TPS extension date of October 2, 2026, for Venezuela.

However, on October 3, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order through the emergency docket that paused Judge Chen’s decision, effectively allowing the terminations to take effect for 600,000 Venezuelans while litigation continues. The order issued by the U.S Supreme Court offered no legal reasoning for its decision, creating an unjust environment for those whose lives will be affected.

The Trump administration has been quick to acknowledge Venezuela’s instability when it serves their political interests, yet denies it when people’s lives are at stake.

The Department of Homeland Security officially terminated both TPS designations on November 7th, 2025, a decision that has affected thousands of Venezuelans. Without legal protection, thousands are facing risk of deportation to a country that still experiences political turmoil and socio-economic issues. The loss of work authorization has led experienced workers to lose their jobs in highly essential industries. The decision has left many beneficiaries uncertain about their future and the lives they built in the United States.

Alejandra’s frustration reflects a broad sentiment among other Venezuelan TPS holders who see this decision as deeply contradictory. The Trump administration terminated the TPS due to “notable improved conditions,” yet they continue speaking against the country’s government, threatening military action, and maintaining travel bans. The Trump administration has been quick to acknowledge Venezuela’s instability when it serves their political interests, yet denies it when people’s lives are at stake. 

“I feel a deep sense of uncertainty about building a life in this country”, says Alejandra “and it’s truly discouraging. It feels like a major hypocrisy in the current political climate to leave so many people’s lives unprotected.”

A young adult from Austin, who preferred to stay anonymous, shared their despair as the TPS ends. “Losing TPS means losing my job and my ability to plan for the future. Right now, any chance of working again depends on an H-1B, which is out of reach since no employer will want to spend 100k to sponsor just anyone.”  Former TPS beneficiaries are seeking alternative solutions, but many face long processing times and limited access to legal pathways “With TPS ending, I’ve transitioned to H-4 status through my spouse’s visa. With one status ending and another still pending, I’m holding on to hope and patience while everything settles.”

Their jobs, their homes, and their sense of belonging is being threatened not because they broke the law, but because law itself has changed around them.

A recent graduate from the University of Houston  expresses frustration about family members being affected. “Their lives are now in a limbo. They’ve lost their job and their legal right to remain here, which makes me worry about whether they’ll be deported as they wait to hear back from their new status.”

“I don’t understand how we are told to go through the legal process if they end up cancelling it anyway. My family has always tried to do things the legal way, but it is clear the administration does not want us here regardless of our efforts. I feel disappointed but not surprised over the way immigrants have been treated in this county.”

Beyond courts and press conferences, the real story unfolds in worksites and classrooms as Venezuelans in the U.S. face an uncertain future. Their jobs, their homes, and their sense of belonging is being threatened not because they broke the law, but because law itself has changed around them.