The Future of Venezuelan Migrants in the U.S.

By: Gabriel León

Photo: Venezuela Information Ministry [Richard Grenell with Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro]

For many, ever since President Donald Trump took office last January, a sense of fear has overtaken millions of households around the United States. 

Amongst those millions, one group in particular has been more fearful now than ever before: immigrants. One of Trump’s biggest campaign points was his plan to begin mass deportations and not only deport illegal immigrants but even go as far as to question the 14th Amendment, which guarantees anyone born on U.S. soil automatic citizenship. 

Since 2017, there has been an influx of immigrants coming to the U.S. from Venezuela. Millions have already left the country and arrived safely in the U.S., but Trump and the Department of Homeland Security’s rhetoric and actions are leaving Venezuelans living in the U.S. scared for what is to come. Countless Venezuelans have nothing left in their own country, which has turned into a country many of its people hardly recognize. Venezuela used to be a country that welcomed immigrants, not produced them. 

Before getting into what might happen next, it is imperative to understand what was going on before Trump assumed office. 

In 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security’s Alejandro Mayorkas designated Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status based on his determination that there existed “extraordinary and temporary conditions” in Venezuela that prevented nationals of Venezuela from returning in safety, permitting such aliens to remain temporarily. 

Essentially, Secretary Mayorkas had determined that it was too unsafe for Venezuelans to return to their nation, thus allowing them to stay in the U.S. as illegal immigrants until further notice… This allowed Venezuelans to work and live in the U.S. without the fear of deportation. The status was renewed in 2022 for an 18-month period and again in 2023 under different provisions. This extension only applied to Venezuelans that arrived in the U.S. on or before July 31, 2023. That being said, this would still extend TPS to nearly 600,000 Venezuelans. 

In January, that status was extended for an additional 18 months under the Biden administration, just three days before President Joe Biden was set to leave office. The DHS analyzed the situation in the country and concluded that an extension of 18 months—which would have lasted from April 2024 until October 2026—was well warranted because of the severe humanitarian emergency the country continues to face due to political and economic crises under the inhumane Maduro regime. 

This decision was received with open arms by Venezuelans because of the precarious situation in their country, where basic necessities are seldom found in stores, gang violence riddles the streets, and there is political corruption everywhere.

That protected status was short-lived under Trump. It only took his administration 15 days to revoke this extension, as was announced by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. 

DHS announced that TPS and related benefits associated with the 2023 designation will end on April 7, 2025, leaving hundreds of thousands holding their breath for what to do next. Secretary Noem included in her reasoning that “The Department [DHS], in consultation with the Department of State, has reviewed conditions in Venezuela and has considered whether permitting Venezuelan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the U.S. national interest. Overall, certain conditions for the 2023 TPS designation of Venezuela may continue; however, there are notable improvements in several areas such as the economy, public health, and crime that allow for these nationals to be safely returned to their home country.” 

The mention of notable improvements is simply a fallacy. 

Something this administration grossly misunderstands is the reason behind why people are leaving their countries of origin. In many cases, people don’t leave their countries because they want to but out of necessity. 

In Venezuela, since Nicolás Maduro assumed office, there has been no food, water, medicine, or jobs, and increased criminal and political violence. These conditions have not improved whatsoever, though if they did, people would return. 

Look no further than El Salvador. Many Salvadorans have returned to their country, but that is because conditions have greatly improved. The crime rate is down, there is more economic opportunity, and education has been prospering. The opposite has happened in Venezuela ever since people left. 

This precarious situation has left many Venezuelans wondering what is next for them and their families. On Feb. 10, 2025, two flights left from Texas on the Venezuelan-owned Conviasa bound for Caracas, just the start of more anticipated flights to the capital. 

President Trump has taken a different approach to Maduro than he did in his first term, even sending a convoy to Venezuela, making it the first time in years that the U.S. sent officials to Venezuela. This meeting was important because one of Trump's advisors, Richard Grenell, secured the release of six U.S. prisoners being held in Venezuela. 

Perhaps this is the start of a new era for the Maduro regime, one that will let him continue to use the justice system to remain in power. 

The White House said on X after the flights took off, “Respiration Flights to Venezuela have resumed: MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN,” a clear message that DHS and President Trump plan to continue these flights back to Venezuela, sending migrants back to a nation that is run by an autocrat who uses the judicial system to push his agenda.

For migrants in Venezuela, the fear of being sent back to a country in ruin is well warranted. Nobody can tell for sure what will happen to Venezuelan migrants, but all we can do is hope that the situation does not worsen as Trump’s administration is only beginning.