NEW YORK, CMC – The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella coverage and advocacy group that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights teams all through New York, warned on Wednesday that Venezuelan nationals in New York are vulnerable to deportation within the wake of President Trump’s revocation of Non permanent Protected Standing (TPS) for Venezuela.
“Trump’s revocation of TPS for Venezuela is a merciless escalation of his mass deportation agenda, prioritizing enforcement over humanitarian options,” Murad Awawdeh, NYIC’s president and chief govt officer, advised the Caribbean Media Company (CMC).
“The devastating choice may have penalties for a whole bunch of hundreds of Venezuelans who’ve constructed their lives in the US, together with those that name New York house,” he added. “Households will now face the truth of uprooting the lives they labored so laborious to construct right here and returning to a rustic nonetheless grappling with the political and financial turmoil they escaped.
“The Trump administration must be defending – not punishing – individuals who have sought security from disaster and instability and who’ve been contributing to New York’s financial system,” continued Awawdeh, urging the New York Congressional Delegation to “act now to offer everlasting protections for all TPS holders who face the specter of compelled removing underneath inhumane insurance policies.”
Earlier this week, the US Homeland Safety Secretary, Kristi Noem, introduced that the Trump administration will revoke the TPS designation for Venezuela, leaving a whole bunch of hundreds vulnerable to deportation and with out work permits.
Awawdeh mentioned the momentary humanitarian program protected about 350,000 Venezuelans who sought refuge in the US over the previous few years attributable to political and financial turmoil of their house nation.
Awawdeh mentioned this revocation solely impacts Venezuelans who obtained TPS on October 3, 2023.
“These people will lose standing and work authorization at 11:59 PM native time on April 7, 2025,” he mentioned. “Nonetheless, this termination doesn’t apply to Venezuelan nationals who utilized for and obtained TPS underneath the 2021 designation, which can stay in impact till September 10, 2025.”
The San Diego, CA-based Haitian Bridge Alliance has additionally strongly condemned the Trump administration’s termination of TPS for about 600,000 Venezuelans residing in the US.
“This motion, introduced by Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem, not solely jeopardizes the security and well-being of numerous people but additionally contradicts America’s world dedication to human rights and humanitarian rules,” Haitian Bridge Alliance Government Director Guerline Josef advised CMC.
She mentioned that TPS, a humanitarian immigration program established underneath the US Immigration Act of 1990 (INA § 244), grants momentary authorized standing to nationals of designated international locations experiencing ongoing armed battle, environmental disasters, or different extraordinary and momentary circumstances that make secure return unimaginable.
“TPS recipients are allowed to stay and work legally in the US during the designation,” Josef mentioned. “Right here, the revocation of TPS for Venezuelans disregards the continued humanitarian disaster in Venezuela, the place political instability, financial collapse, and widespread human rights abuses have compelled hundreds of thousands to flee their homeland.”
In pointing to knowledge from the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she mentioned greater than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the nation looking for safety and a greater life, “making it one of many largest displacement crises on the earth.”
Josef mentioned the bulk—over 6.5 million individuals—have been hosted in Latin American and Caribbean international locations.
“Inside Venezuela, the state of affairs stays dire,” she mentioned, stating that an estimated 7.6 million individuals want humanitarian help, “struggling to entry satisfactory healthcare, vitamin, and important companies.
“The termination of TPS ignores these harsh realities, successfully condemning hundreds to return to life-threatening circumstances,” Josef added. “This choice is emblematic of the administration’s broader xenophobic agenda, which seeks to marginalize immigrant communities and dismantle programs of safety for essentially the most susceptible.
“It perpetuates a story that devalues the lives of these searching for security and undermines the wealthy range that strengthens our nation,” she continued. “Such actions serve solely to sow division and perpetuate systemic injustices in opposition to marginalized populations.”
Josef mentioned the Haitian Bridge Alliance “stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan group and all TPS holders focused by insurance policies that undermine our nation’s legal guidelines, values of compassion and refuge.
“We name on Congress to take speedy motion to offer everlasting safety for TPS holders and be certain that no household is compelled to return to harmful circumstances,” she mentioned. “Within the interim, we name on Congress to make use of its energy to pressure the administration to rescind its place.”
Awawdeh mentioned that since New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams have been robust supporters of TPS for Venezuela, “we’re urging them to point out their dedication to this program as a way for latest arrivals to work and contribute safely.”
Awawdeh additionally referred to as on US Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer and US Home of Representatives Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries—each New York representatives—“to rally their colleagues in Congress to assist TPS for Venezuela.
“Our elected officers in New York should stand as much as defend all New Yorkers and to make sure the continued well being and stability of our financial system,” he urged.
