Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants in the United States remain at risk of deportation despite the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration has made clear that immigration policy toward Venezuelans has not changed.
Officials say deportations will continue, including through the use of the Alien Enemies Act, citing Maduro’s indictment and Venezuela’s improving conditions following U.S. intervention.
600,000 Venezuelans face U.S. deportation after Maduro raid https://t.co/7PlCywvmOf
— Axios (@axios) January 6, 2026
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said temporary protections for Venezuelans remain revoked and encouraged those without legal status to return home.
The administration argues Venezuela is now more stable and capable of receiving returning nationals, according to CNN.
Advocacy groups and immigration experts dispute that assessment, warning that the same power structures remain in place. Many Venezuelans fear returning amid continued political and economic instability.
An estimated 764,000 Venezuelans live in the U.S., many without permanent legal status after Temporary Protected Status and parole programs were ended under President Donald Trump.
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