US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced that Venezuelans living in the US under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) can now apply for refugee status, citing a desire to find a leader in Venezuela who will collaborate with the US to combat illicit activities such as drug trafficking and terrorist infiltration.
Noem's comments came during an interview on Fox News Sunday, where she emphasized that the immigration status of Venezuelan nationals living in the US under TPS was part of a broader decision-making process at her department. Notably, Noem stated that "every individual that was under TPS has the opportunity to apply for refugee status," highlighting the need to ensure that US programs are effective and adhere to the law.
This announcement marks a significant shift from the Trump administration's previous stance on Venezuela, which had previously terminated TPS designations affecting over 250,000 Venezuelans living in the US. The decision was made after determining it was "contrary to the US national interest." As a result, many Venezuelans living in Florida - home to over half of all TPS holders in the US - have seen their legal status and work permits revoked.
Local officials are now urging the administration to restore TPS status for Venezuelan immigrants, arguing that the revocation was "reckless, dangerous, and wrong." Miami Democratic Mayor Elaine Higgins stated that the ongoing instability in Venezuela makes it even more critical not to force people back into chaos and uncertainty. She emphasized that the US needs a leader in Venezuela who can work collaboratively with America rather than perpetuating crimes and drug trafficking.
The Trump administration had also targeted Venezuela's involvement in driving irregular migration to the US, stating that this had directly undermined their immigration policies. Meanwhile, Noem expressed her concerns over Venezuela's current leadership, particularly in regards to President Delcy Rodriguez, who was appointed interim president following Nicolás Maduro's capture by US authorities on Saturday.
Noem's comments came during an interview on Fox News Sunday, where she emphasized that the immigration status of Venezuelan nationals living in the US under TPS was part of a broader decision-making process at her department. Notably, Noem stated that "every individual that was under TPS has the opportunity to apply for refugee status," highlighting the need to ensure that US programs are effective and adhere to the law.
This announcement marks a significant shift from the Trump administration's previous stance on Venezuela, which had previously terminated TPS designations affecting over 250,000 Venezuelans living in the US. The decision was made after determining it was "contrary to the US national interest." As a result, many Venezuelans living in Florida - home to over half of all TPS holders in the US - have seen their legal status and work permits revoked.
Local officials are now urging the administration to restore TPS status for Venezuelan immigrants, arguing that the revocation was "reckless, dangerous, and wrong." Miami Democratic Mayor Elaine Higgins stated that the ongoing instability in Venezuela makes it even more critical not to force people back into chaos and uncertainty. She emphasized that the US needs a leader in Venezuela who can work collaboratively with America rather than perpetuating crimes and drug trafficking.
The Trump administration had also targeted Venezuela's involvement in driving irregular migration to the US, stating that this had directly undermined their immigration policies. Meanwhile, Noem expressed her concerns over Venezuela's current leadership, particularly in regards to President Delcy Rodriguez, who was appointed interim president following Nicolás Maduro's capture by US authorities on Saturday.
I'm kinda surprised they're finally doing something about the TPS situation for Venezuelans living in the US. It's been a hot mess for so long and it's heartbreaking to see all these people struggling to find their footing here.
they're stuck in this super unstable government situation... it feels like the ppl r just being tossed around like pawns... i think it's great that americans r speaking up about it tho, like mayor elaine higgins is totally on point 
her words r like "hey no let's not rush into this" kinda vibe... meanwhile, president delcy rodriguez sounds super sketchy 
what's good with him being interim pres?
. But at the same time, I worry that this decision might put more pressure on Venezuelan leaders to do things America wants them to do 
. Like, if they're gonna be working with the US to combat illicit activities, shouldn't that come from a place of mutual respect and trust? 
It feels like there's a bit of coercion going on here, which could lead to some bad consequences 
. What do you think?
. I think the new Sec Noem makes a good point about needing a leader in Venezuela who can work with the US on crime and all that. But, like, what if they just make things worse? 
The local officials in Miami are saying it's reckless to revoke people's status without thinking about the consequences... 
They're already here, with families, jobs, and lives built. Now they might be worried about their future... 
The US wants a leader who'll cooperate on counter-narcotics and security issues 
But the current situation is all about power struggles and instability 
? And what about those people who are already living here and don't wanna go back? I mean, I get it, immigration laws are important, but shouldn't we just try to make things better for everyone 
Which is all well and good, but what about the people who just wanna live their lives? 
And what's up with this new shift towards finding a leader in Venezuela who can collaborate with the US? It sounds like we're trying to fix our own problems by exporting them to another country 
.
. Now Noem's saying everyone has the chance to apply, which is awesome! 
.
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. The Trump admin's decision was super harsh and it's like they forgot that people are human beings too 
. I feel bad for Miami, where all these Venezuelans live - they're already struggling to make ends meet 
.
, but we need more than just a token offer. We need concrete actions and a clear plan to help these people rebuild their lives in the US