The lawsuit, filed by the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and Democracy Forward, seeks to block what they describe as the Trump administration’s abrupt and unlawful termination of the TPS for Venezuelans. This status was initially granted by former President Joe Biden in 2021 due to humanitarian crises in Venezuela, and it was later extended in 2023 to accommodate additional migrants. However, with Trump’s administration in place, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved to revoke the 2023 extension, initiating the process to end the protected status for Venezuelans in the U.S.
Plaintiffs, including the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and Democracy Forward, argue that the Trump-Vance administration’s decision is part of a broader pattern of undermining immigration protections for those who have followed the legal procedures. They claim that migrants who used the CBP One app for entry and have maintained legal documentation should not face deportation. According to the lawsuit, the decision to cancel TPS is a ‘sudden and unlawful termination’ of protections that were established under the Biden administration.
Democracy Forward President Skye Perryman stated that the sudden policy shift represents an ‘assault on immigrants who have followed the rules.’ The lawsuit seeks to challenge the administration’s actions, which the plaintiffs argue have had a significant impact on the lives of approximately 550,000 Venezuelans currently living in the U.S. The legal battle highlights the complexity of U.S. immigration policy and the ongoing tensions between enforcing immigration laws and protecting vulnerable populations.