A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's effort to end humanitarian protections for around 350,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. The ruling halts the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was set to end on April 7, providing recipients more time to challenge the decision legally.
The case centers on a controversial move by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem to rescind TPS after her predecessor, Alejandro Mayorkas, extended it until 2026 due to Venezuela's ongoing political and economic crises. The judge, Edward M. Chen, ruled that Noem’s actions were unlawful, describing her reasoning as lacking evidence and rooted in negative stereotypes of Venezuelans. He condemned the termination as discriminatory and racially biased, referencing claims made by Trump about Venezuelan migrants being criminals.
Make America Safe Again. pic.twitter.com/p7SHNq0xJi
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) March 28, 2025
Chen also highlighted that TPS holders contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, working, paying taxes, and spending money. Advocacy groups hailed the ruling, emphasizing it as a step towards justice for vulnerable migrant families. Venezuelans had feared returning to the unsafe conditions under President Nicolás Maduro’s regime, making TPS a critical lifeline. The case continues as legal challenges mount, also affecting other groups from Haiti, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
