Lawsuit Challenges TPS Termination for Venezuelans
Federal Lawsuit Filed Against TPS Termination for Venezuelans
DORAL, Florida – The first lawsuit challenging the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans has been filed in a federal court in California.
The complaint was brought forth by a group of Venezuelans currently benefiting from TPS, along with the National TPS Alliance. The legal action targets the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and its Secretary, Kristi Noem.
Allegations of Illegal Termination
The 48-page lawsuit accuses Secretary Noem of violating administrative process laws by unlawfully ending TPS for Venezuela in 2023 and revoking the automatic renewal of protections previously granted by the Biden administration.
“Just three days after taking office, the Department of Homeland Security denies a fixed period of protection that had already been granted,” stated Jessika Bansal, an attorney with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.
The complaint asserts that the notice of termination did not clarify that the crisis conditions in Venezuela, which justified TPS designation, had ended. Instead, it claims that the situation remains “extraordinary and temporary.”
Impact on Families
“When TPS is removed, families like mine become vulnerable; we face the unimaginable: being sent back to a country where our lives are at risk,” said Cecilia González, one of the eight Venezuelans with TPS who are co-plaintiffs in the case.
“Nothing has improved in Venezuela, and there is no possibility of living a decent life in peace and democracy,” remarked Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan-American Caucus.
Concerns Over Criminalization
The lawsuit also addresses the alleged criminalization of Venezuelans, which the plaintiffs claim has been a focus of the Trump administration, utilizing a racially charged narrative against immigrants from Venezuela. They argue that this approach violates the Constitution of the United States.
The plaintiffs are hopeful for a response from the federal judge before April 2, the deadline when many work permits issued under TPS are set to expire.
Source Reference (univision.com): Estatus de Protección Temporal