The recent decision by the Trump administration to terminate temporary humanitarian protections for Venezuelans who sought refuge in the U.S. has left countless individuals grappling with uncertainty. Many fear the prospect of being deported back to the oppressive regime they once escaped.

“We lived in constant fear, and that fear persists,” shared Jesús, who, along with his wife and children, fled Venezuela. They journeyed through Colombia and the perilous Darién jungle in Panama, eventually arriving in Texas in 2021. His wife, a former civil servant, had grown increasingly anxious about the government’s repression of free speech and refused to participate in pro-government rallies. Gradually, the couple began receiving threats. “They even followed us to our home,” Jesús recalled.

In 2023, the family was granted temporary protected status (TPS), allowing them to live and work legally in the U.S., and they believed they had found a reprieve.

However, earlier this month, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unexpectedly announced the termination of TPS for roughly 350,000 Venezuelans, including Jesús. The administration asserts that the conditions in Venezuela have “notably improved” and intends to revoke the designation within 60 days.

“You can only imagine the shock this has caused us,” Jesús expressed. “We faced political persecution in our homeland, and now we find ourselves under threat here as well.”

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For the past 35 years, TPS has been a lifeline for individuals fleeing conflict, environmental calamity, or other dire situations. As the prospect of losing this status looms, those affected are understandably anxious about the implications of their visibility to immigration enforcement, having shared their personal information—including home address and history—with the government when applying for TPS.

Advocacy groups are urging Venezuelan TPS holders to seek legal assistance promptly while offering training on their rights. “The guidance provided is similar to what undocumented immigrants have received over the years—it’s crucial for those at risk of losing their TPS,” explained Laura Vazquez, an integration director at UnidosUS.

As the Trump administration intensifies its deportation efforts, individuals whose protections have expired and who haven’t established asylum claims may become targets. Jesús and his family are acutely aware of this risk.

They have applied for asylum and are awaiting their immigration court date in 2027, which offers them temporary protection from deportation during the legal process. Still, Jesús harbors fears about the possibility of immigration raids. “I frequently hear about people whose rights are ignored,” he said. “We no longer venture out alone—only when it’s necessary for work.”

Meanwhile, his children—ranging in age from preschool to high school—feel the stress as well. With reports of ICE raids targeting major cities and schools, they often ask, “Papa, they won’t come looking for us, will they?”

To minimize risks, Jesús and his wife have transitioned to ordering groceries and supplies online instead of shopping in person after work. They are also contemplating selling their home and car to ensure they can cover legal fees and living expenses if their temporary status is revoked.

Amid these challenges, they’ve started considering alternative destinations in the event they cannot stay in the U.S. Above all, they wish to avoid being forcibly returned to Venezuela. “It feels like they’re pushing us into a lion’s den, as we say in my country,” Jesús remarked. “Returning would mean facing persecution and a likely death.”

During his first term, Trump also attempted to terminate TPS for individuals from several other countries, including El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan. At that time, officials proposed a transitional period of 12 to 18 months before the changes took effect. However, this resulted in legal challenges, and many retained their protected status when Biden reversed Trump’s terminations.

Now, the administration is moving to terminate protections without delay, disregarding the Biden administration’s extension through October 2026 for Venezuelans. Consequently, around 350,000 who received TPS in 2023 will lose their protections in just 60 days, with an additional 250,000 slated to lose theirs in September. This decision is likely to face legal challenges.

“Once again, the Trump administration is actively seeking to strip immigration status from hundreds of thousands of individuals who are legally present and contributing to the workforce,” observed Ahilan Arulanantham, a law professor at UCLA who previously led a lawsuit to protect TPS holders during Trump’s initial term. The potential loss of work permits could cause severe economic repercussions for communities nationwide.

“Moreover, the humanitarian crisis of forcing 300,000 people back to a country that is undeniably dangerous cannot be overlooked. It is widely recognized that Venezuela is an incredibly volatile and unsafe nation, prompting millions to flee,” he added.

In her termination announcement, Noem claimed that Venezuelans no longer require protection, citing “notable improvements in areas such as the economy, public health, and crime rates.” She further asserted that allowing TPS holders to remain in the U.S. was “contrary to national interests,” referencing the presence of members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in the U.S. and suggesting that American cities could not bear the financial strain of supporting new immigrants.

Advocates have challenged the rationale behind revoking these immigrants’ right to work and support their communities. Experts also question how the administration could claim improvements, especially in light of the State Department’s alerts regarding the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. The government of the authoritarian president, Nicolás Maduro, has recently intensified efforts to detain protesters and bystanders alike, marking a continuation of severe political repression. Additionally, the Biden administration has placed a $25 million bounty on Maduro’s arrest.

Immigrant advocates are strongly advising Venezuelan TPS holders to pursue asylum applications promptly to improve their chances of remaining in the country. Yet, this process is intricate and can be financially burdensome. “Navigating asylum law is not straightforward, especially without legal representation,” Arulanantham emphasized.

Mary, a mother of four residing in Georgia, expressed her distress, sharing that panic attacks and nosebleeds have plagued her since hearing their protected status might be revoked. “I’ve spent days crying in my room,” she recounted. “My children are also distressed. They rush into the closet every time someone knocks on the door.”

Her husband survived a near-fatal incident in Venezuela, escaping with a skull fracture. Mary also faced persecution as a law student, having studied alongside a former opposition leader. “Returning there is unthinkable,” she asserted. “If I go back to Venezuela, the government will either imprison my husband or execute him—and I would face the same fate.”

She previously attempted to apply for asylum, only to fall victim to an unscrupulous lawyer who neglected to file her paperwork correctly, leading to a deportation order. Her current temporary status has been her only safeguard. The family has secured an appointment with a new attorney at the end of March, but she fears there may not be sufficient time to settle their affairs before their protective status expires. She is also concerned about their next steps and how to care for her youngest son, who has autism. If they were forced to return to Venezuela, she worries about the availability of necessary special education resources for him.

“When the Secretary of Homeland Security implied that we Americans crossing the border are criminals linked to gangs, that deeply affected me,” she reflected. “After almost four years here, my husband and I haven’t received a single citation or fine.”

For now, they can only wait and hold on to hope. “My faith in God’s word is all I cling to,” she said. “He is our only source of protection.”

The names of TPS holders mentioned in this article have been altered to ensure their safety and the safety of their families.