Immigration Policies Impact Vulnerable Venezuelans Facing Uncertainty in the US
The growing uncertainty surrounding immigration policies has left vulnerable Venezuelans like Maria Eugenia Torres Ramirez facing challenges with their asylum and TPS protections in the U.S.
Maria Eugenia Torres Ramirez never sought to reside in the United States illegally. A political activist from Venezuela fiercely opposing President Nicolas Maduro, she approached border agents in Del Rio, Texas, in 2021 and asked for asylum, expressing fears for her life.
At 37, Torres Ramirez fled Venezuela with her two young children after federal police fired shots outside her restaurant and demanded to know her whereabouts from employees.
While her asylum case is pending, she obtained Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows individuals facing extraordinary conditions in their countries to stay in the U.S. If her asylum is denied, TPS would provide her with a work permit and protection from deportation.
However, the Trump administration's move to end TPS for many Venezuelans has generated fear among those relying on it. Torres Ramirez stated, "If they deny the asylum, I'd have even more uncertainty. The moment he gets rid of the legal protections, we are illegal."
Trump's tough immigration policies, aimed at illegal immigration, also curtailed legal immigration pathways that had previously offered hope to those fleeing crises.
The Trump administration made significant cuts to migrant admission processes, resulting in the shutdown of the phone application for legal entry and the halting of humanitarian programs for various nationalities.
During his presidency, Trump sought to terminate TPS for 95% of certain populations. Although these efforts were halted in court, the Biden administration later reversed some of these actions, temporarily expanding TPS protections to additional groups.
Currently, the Biden administration has ended TPS for 350,000 Venezuelans, sending them into uncertainty as their protections will expire soon.
Immigration experts warn that justifications for terminating TPS could be applied broadly, affecting many who currently benefit from it.
Furthermore, the Trump administration halted programs that enabled U.S. citizens to sponsor individuals from crisis-impacted countries, exacerbating the plight of vulnerable migrants.
The refugee admission program has also been suspended, impacting thousands awaiting resettlement after verifying their claims of persecution.
Advocates are concerned that the lack of protections could lead to an increase in the undocumented immigrant population, as individuals who lose TPS or other statuses may remain in the U.S. without legal status.
As of mid-2023, estimates indicate that the undocumented immigrant population reached a record high of 13.7 million, leading to fears over the long-term implications of ending TPS.
Torres Ramirez and others in similar situations stand at a precarious crossroads, facing potential deportation or remaining undocumented in the U.S.
