Judge Halts Trump-Era TPS Revocation for Venezuelans

A federal judge on Friday issued an injunction, effectively blocking the implementation of a Trump-era policy that would have revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 5,000 Venezuelans residing in the United States. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Venezuelan nationals, argued that the decision to end TPS was arbitrary and capricious, failing to adequately consider the ongoing humanitarian crisis and political instability in Venezuela.

The judge's ruling highlighted the dire conditions in Venezuela, including widespread food shortages, lack of access to medical care, and political persecution. These factors, the court argued, justified the continued protection of Venezuelans under the TPS program. TPS is granted to nationals of designated countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent them from safely returning home.

The decision means that the affected Venezuelans can continue to live and work legally in the U.S. while the case proceeds. It is expected that the government will appeal the ruling, leading to a potentially lengthy legal battle. The future of TPS for Venezuelans, therefore, remains uncertain.