Reactions in Venezuela and from the Venezuelan community in the U.S. reflect deep opposition to the cancellation of TPS, demanding protection and justice for the affected migrant community.
Photo: Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).
Guacamaya, October 6, 2025. The suspension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans, ordered last Friday, October 3, has triggered a wave of reactions from various political and social sectors. Those who have spoken out express concern over the uncertainty and fear the measure has caused among hundreds of thousands of migrants who relied on this protection.
The Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, reaffirmed a similar decision from May 2025 that allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate TPS for Venezuelans. The ruling overturns a decision by Judge Edward M. Chen of the California District Court, placing 350,000 Venezuelans at immediate risk of detention and deportation, and another 250,000 at risk starting November 7.
Reactions from the Venezuelan Opposition
Former governor and newly elected National Assembly deputy Henrique Capriles Radonski condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, arguing that the ruling fails to acknowledge the political, social, and economic crisis driving migration. “Venezuelan migrants deserve support—not more obstacles and uncertainty!” he declared on his X account.
Similarly, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), the largest opposition coalition, urged the United States to urgently review its immigration policies toward Venezuelans. On X, the PUD emphasized the need to guarantee “alternatives that allow legal permanence” for the “vast majority” of Venezuelan nationals.
Likewise, Antonio Ecarri, president of Alianza del Lápiz and newly elected deputy, also spoke out regarding the suspension of TPS for Venezuelans. He described the measure as an act of criminalization by the United States against the Venezuelan community and argued that it contradicts the recent deployment of military vessels near Venezuela. “This inconsistency is not just political—it’s moral. You cannot preach love for your neighbor while holding a deportation stamp in your hand,” he stated via X.
U.S. Social and Political Voices
José Palma, coordinator of the National TPS Alliance and lead plaintiff representing hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries, questioned the motivations behind the ruling and interpreted it as a sign of injustice. “Today’s Supreme Court decision raises doubts about whether the country’s highest court rules based on law or simply backs President Trump’s actions,” he stated.
Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, called the measure “political, unfair, and extremely harsh,” while affirming that the fight to maintain protection continues. “If you haven’t spoken to immigration attorneys to explore other legal options, now is the time,” she urged.
In the past, organizations such as the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) had warned that revoking TPS would have devastating consequences. The Supreme Court’s decision—first imposed in May and reaffirmed this Friday—could affect thousands of families and endanger individuals who cannot return to Venezuela.
The decision, initially promoted in January by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), also drew responses from Democratic lawmakers like Darren Soto, who called the measure “outrageous.” “Venezuelans are helping our economy and are part of our community. This will be a death sentence for many,” Soto wrote on social media.
Venezuelan Government and Silence from Key Figures
In contrast to opposition voices, members of the Venezuelan government have not officially commented on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision. However, back in May, when the ruling was first issued, President Nicolás Maduro condemned the “criminal attempt” to strip migrants of TPS.
Meanwhile, prominent opposition figures such as María Corina Machado and Edmundo González have remained silent, issuing no public statements regarding the TPS suspension confirmed this Friday. Beyond the PUD’s message, there have been few interventions from Venezuelan political figures, with the exception of Capriles Radonski.
The lack of statements from both the government and some opposition leaders has created a void in public debate and representation. Moreover, the legal alternatives available to affected individuals are insufficient to address the scale of the problem—fueling an urgent demand for humanitarian and political solutions among more than 300,000 Venezuelans.
