President Donald Trump’s administration has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Venezuelan nationals, potentially subjecting them to deportation. The Justice Department’s emergency appeal challenges a federal judge’s ruling that extended TPS protections, which had been set to expire in April.
TPS allows individuals from countries experiencing crises, such as natural disasters or civil unrest, to reside and work legally in the United States. The Trump administration argues that the extension of TPS for Venezuelans interferes with executive authority over immigration and foreign policy.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer contends that individuals affected by the termination of TPS may have other legal avenues to remain in the country, emphasizing that ending TPS does not equate to a final removal order
The same day as the Supreme Court appeal, a federal judge in Texas ruled against the administration’s use of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans, stating that such actions exceeded presidential authority. The judge emphasized that the act requires a formal declaration of war by Congress, which was not present in this context.
These legal developments occur amid the administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration policies, including the termination of humanitarian parole programs that had provided legal status to over 500,000 individuals from countries like Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. The Department of Homeland Security cited concerns over the effectiveness of these programs in reducing irregular migration.
