The recent decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suspend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans has sparked widespread concern among human rights organizations. Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) and the Center for Justice and Peace (CEPAZ) have strongly condemned this measure, warning that it endangers the stability and security of approximately 300,000 individuals who could now face mass deportations. These individuals would be forced to return to a country where their lives and fundamental rights remain under serious threat.

Adding to the distress, another 250,000 Venezuelans who still retain TPS protection fear that this decision signals a broader shift towards more restrictive immigration policies, potentially jeopardizing their future status as well.

A Dangerous and Misleading Narrative
Even more troubling than the policy change itself is the rhetoric surrounding it. The decision has been accompanied by misleading claims that falsely associate Venezuelan migrants with criminal organizations. VIA and CEPAZ emphasize that these characterizations are not only unfounded but also fuel discrimination, criminalization, and xenophobia against the Venezuelan community in the United States.

Data from DHS itself contradicts this narrative, showing that less than 1% of TPS beneficiaries have any ties to criminal activities. The portrayal of Venezuelan migrants as a security threat lacks factual basis and undermines the significant contributions they make to U.S. society and the economy.

A Humanitarian Crisis Ignored
The justification for suspending TPS rests on the assertion that conditions in Venezuela have improved—an assertion that VIA and CEPAZ strongly refute. In reality, Venezuela remains in a deep humanitarian crisis. More than 70.6% of the population cannot afford basic necessities, forcing many families to live in extreme poverty. Healthcare services are severely limited, leaving millions without access to essential medical care, including life-saving treatments. Meanwhile, political persecution continues to escalate, particularly in the aftermath of the 2024 post-electoral crisis, with increasing restrictions on civic space and heightened state repression.

Rather than improving, conditions in Venezuela have deteriorated further, making deportations a violation of the international law principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to a country where they face persecution or serious harm.

The Global Impact of U.S. Policy Decisions
The implications of this decision extend beyond U.S. borders. It sets a dangerous precedent for other nations and signals a retreat from America’s historical role as a leader in human rights and refugee protection. Deporting Venezuelans not only exposes them to direct threats, such as arbitrary detention and persecution, but also enables authoritarian regimes to use these returnees for political manipulation and retaliation.

Recent deportation cases, such as those carried out by Iceland, have demonstrated the real dangers Venezuelans face upon return. Many are labeled as traitors and subjected to severe abuses by the Maduro regime.

A Call to Action
VIA and CEPAZ urge the U.S. administration to reconsider this harmful decision and realign its immigration policies with its longstanding commitment to human rights and international protection. The organizations call for the immediate reinstatement of TPS to ensure the safety and dignity of Venezuelan migrants. Additionally, the damaging narratives that stigmatize Venezuelan refugees must end, as they contribute to discrimination and unjustified hostility toward this vulnerable community. Finally, greater international solidarity is needed to uphold the rights and protection of those fleeing Venezuela’s crisis.

The crisis in Venezuela is far from over, and the need for international protection remains urgent. As a nation that has historically defended democracy and human rights, the United States must uphold these principles by continuing to provide refuge for those fleeing persecution, extreme poverty, and violence. The lives of millions hang in the balance, and turning our backs on them is not an option.