Venezuelans send protest messages to Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the continuation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Photo: Venezuelan American Caucus
Guacamaya, March 31, 2025. The precautionary measure prevents deportations while litigation advances; organizations and lawmakers celebrate the decision.
A federal court in California ordered this Tuesday the temporary suspension of the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans, preventing the government from deporting beneficiaries while the lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups is resolved.
The decision, issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, represents an initial victory for organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Venezuelan American Caucus, and the TPS Alliance, which led the legal action following the Trump administration’s attempt to eliminate the protection in 2023.
Federal Judge Edward M. Chen, of the Northern District of California, issued a ruling this Monday halting the order from the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security to eliminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans.
The decision protects about 350,000 Venezuelan beneficiaries who faced the possibility of losing their immigration protection and being exposed to deportation. TPS, created in 2021 for Venezuelans due to the crisis.
This measure represents temporary relief for the Venezuelan community in the U.S., which had mobilized legal and political resources to prevent the revocation. Migrant rights organizations and Democratic lawmakers celebrated the suspension but warned that the legal battle continues.
The Venezuelan-American lawyer and politician, after the announcement on the social media platform X, highlighted the coordination among activists, Democratic congressmen, and attorneys general from 18 states to defend TPS. “This is the result of grassroots efforts for a just cause,” he wrote, acknowledging the key role of figures like activist Cecilia García and the support of 39 legislators.
The measure keeps TPS in effect for thousands of Venezuelans until the court resolves the case, aligning with similar rulings in previous immigration disputes. The ACLU, responsible for the legal strategy, described the ruling as “critical relief for families facing deportation to a country in crisis.”
While litigation proceeds, the community celebrates the extension but insists on the need for a permanent solution. “We will keep fighting,” affirmed García, reflecting the sentiment of beneficiaries and advocates.
