The Supreme Court allows the White House to end the protected status for 350,000 Venezuelans who were protected from deportation in the United states
In a major immigration decision, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to move forward with terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans living and working legally in the United States. The ruling lifts a lower court’s block on ending the program while legal challenges are still underway.
TPS offers temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to nationals of countries experiencing extraordinary conditions such as conflict or natural disasters. For Venezuelans, the program was implemented under the Biden administration in 2023 due to worsening conditions under President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
The high court granted an emergency request from the Trump administration, which argued that a U.S. District Court in California had overstepped by halting the termination of TPS. Government attorneys stated the court’s injunction interfered with the Executive Branch’s constitutional authority over immigration and foreign affairs.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson praised the decision, calling it a “win for the American people and the safety of our communities.” The spokesperson criticized the Biden administration for using immigration parole programs to admit what they described as “poorly vetted migrants,” including gang members and terrorists. They claimed the Trump administration is restoring “integrity” to U.S. immigration policy.
However, immigration advocates and attorneys representing TPS holders condemned the ruling. Ahilan Arulanantham, lead attorney for the Venezuelan plaintiffs, called the Supreme Court’s unsigned, three-paragraph decision “shocking” and “callous,” citing its lack of explanation or clarity on the policy’s immediate impact.
“This is the largest single action stripping any group of non-citizens of immigration status in modern U.S. history,” Arulanantham said. “That the Court authorized this action with no reasoning is truly alarming.”
He warned the humanitarian and economic consequences will be felt immediately and for generations, and pointed out that the Court’s silence leaves TPS holders unsure if they can legally work or remain in the U.S. starting today.
“There’s no clarity on whether the protections are gone now or in a few days. The lack of guidance is cruel,” Arulanantham added in a press conference.
Uncertainty also stems from the abrupt policy reversal within DHS. Just days before President Biden left office, his administration extended TPS protections for Venezuelans by 18 months, citing ongoing political and economic instability in Venezuela. But within days of her confirmation, newly appointed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem rescinded the extension.
The decision has also prompted legal challenges. The National TPS Alliance and seven Venezuelan nationals filed a lawsuit accusing Noem’s reversal of being racially motivated. The lawsuit claims Noem made derogatory comments about Venezuelan migrants in media appearances, referring to them as “dirtbags” and gang members.
The Supreme Court’s ruling not only affects Venezuelan TPS holders—it could also influence similar ongoing court battles over TPS terminations for nationals from Haiti, Cameroon, and Afghanistan. Legal advocates fear a precedent has now been set for sweeping removals of immigration protections without transparent judicial reasoning.
Jurist's Journal 
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