A court decision in the United States represents a momentary and crucial respite for thousands of Venezuelan migrants who were on the verge of losing their right to work and stay legally in the country.
The ruling, issued by a federal court in California, halts for now President Donald Trump’s administration’s plans to nullify the work permits and other legal documents of approximately 5,000 Venezuelans covered by Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a move that would have left many families on the brink of unemployment or even at risk of deportation.
Justice intervenes against the cancellation of TPS
San Francisco-based federal judge Edward Chen on May 31 blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to invalidate legal documents issued under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to approximately 5,000 Venezuelans.
In his ruling, the magistrate concluded that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem exceeded her authority by attempting to unilaterally revoke the permits that grant the right to work and reside legally in the United States.
These documents were granted at the end of 2024 during President Joe Biden’s term, when his administration extended TPS for Venezuelans until October 2026, in response to the severe humanitarian and political crisis affecting Venezuela.
The context: Trump’s immigration offensive
The court decision comes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court authorized the Trump administration to revoke TPS for more than 350,000 Venezuelans.
Although the highest judicial instance gave the green light to the end of the program, it also specified that beneficiaries could still challenge individual actions, such as the invalidation of their already issued legal documents.
That is precisely what happened in this case.
Several migrants and the National TPS Alliance went to court to prevent the cancellation of documents that allow beneficiaries to keep their jobs, maintain their immigration stability and avoid deportation proceedings.
A failure with limited but significant impact
In his ruling, Judge Chen noted that the ruling directly affects some 5,000 Venezuelans, i.e., those who had already received legal documentation under Biden’s expanded TPS.
Although the number is small compared to the more than 350,000 total beneficiaries of the program, the legal precedent is important, as it reinforces the right of migrants to appeal administrative measures that affect their legal status without proper review.
In addition, for the people directly involved, the measure means preserving their source of income, their family stability and their legal presence in the country.
What’s next for Venezuelan migrants?
Buzzy
Although the ruling represents a temporary victory, the immigration status of Venezuelans in the United States remains uncertain.
The Trump administration has reiterated its commitment to expel millions of undocumented immigrants and reverse permissive immigration policies implemented under previous administrations.
In the midst of this panorama, pro-migrant organizations continue to work to protect the rights of TPS beneficiaries and push for permanent legislative solutions that guarantee a path to legalization for those who have built a life in the US.
El fallo frena por ahora los planes de la administración del presidente Donald Trump de anular los permisos de trabajo y otros documentos legales de aproximadamente 5,000 venezolanos amparados por el Estatus de Protección Temporal
