Recent changes in the immigration policies of the United States of America (USA) have serious implications, especially for migrants of Latin American origin. By limiting or eliminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Venezuelan migrants, the Trump administration has made their legal status in the US uncertain. These decisions have been highly controversial from both a humanitarian and legal perspective and have been harshly criticized, especially by migrant rights advocacy organizations.[1]
The US Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program grants legal status and work authorization for a certain period of time to migrants whose return to their home countries is dangerous due to natural disasters, wars or serious humanitarian crises. Haitian and Venezuelan migrants have also benefited from this program due to political and economic instability in their countries.
However, the Trump administration is aggressively pursuing a policy of limiting or revoking this status. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s announcement that 521,000 Haitian immigrants will have TPS shortened and expire in August 2025 reversed the Biden administration’s decision to extend it until 2026.[2] Likewise, part of the protection granted to around 600,000 Venezuelan migrants has been revoked, leaving 348,000 at risk of deportation in April 2025.[3]
These decisions show that Trump generally views the TPS program as “beyond legal limits” and seeks to curtail it. However, migrant advocates and legal experts argue that these changes are unconstitutional and contrary to international humanitarian law.
Immigrant rights advocates in the US quickly launched a legal challenge to the termination of TPS. Venezuelan migrants and their advocacy organizations filed two separate lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump administration.[4] These cases argue that the government’s decisions have no legal basis and that the process is racially motivated. In particular, Minister of Internal Security Noem’s characterization of Venezuelan TPS holders as “wretches” has strengthened the argument that the government’s decisions were not made on an impartial and legal basis.[5]
It is unclear what the outcome of these cases will be, but it is clear that the fight for migrant rights in the US has become not only a political but also a legal battleground. If the courts find the Trump administration’s decisions unlawful, it would set a major precedent not only for Haitian and Venezuelan migrants, but for US immigration policy in general.
The US TPS decisions directly affect not only migrants, but also the economic and political stability of Latin American countries. Countries like Haiti and Venezuela are already struggling with serious political and economic crises, and the sudden repatriation of thousands of migrants could exacerbate these crises.
Haiti is a country that has long been unable to hold elections and is largely under the control of armed groups. According to United Nations reports, more than one million people are currently displaced in Haiti and gangs control much of the capital Port-au-Prince.[6] In such an environment, the safety of thousands of Haitian migrants returning from the US is a big question mark.
In Venezuela, the situation is somewhat different. The country has experienced a massive wave of migration due to the political and economic crisis. Colombia, Brazil and other South American countries have taken in millions of Venezuelan migrants in recent years, and the US granting them TPS was seen as an act of international solidarity. However, the reversal of this decision creates great uncertainty for both the migrants and the unstable situation in Venezuela to which they may return.
This could also damage US relations with Latin America. The Maduro government in Venezuela could present this decision as proof that the US is “hostile to Venezuelans” and increase anti-US rhetoric. In Haiti, it is clear that the government is not ready for such mass repatriations.
Another important dimension of such policies is the perception of migrants in American society. Trump and his supporters argue that the purpose of TPS is “temporary” and that expanding the program would exacerbate the migrant crisis. However, immigrant rights advocates argue that the US has given these people hope and legal status, and that it is unfair to suddenly leave them without status now.
In particular, Trump’s negative statements about Haitian migrants during the 2024 election campaign fueled prejudice against migrant communities in the US.[7] Similarly, labeling Venezuelan migrants as “illegal” may lead to misperceptions among the public.[8]
In this context, it is clear that US immigration policies are not only a legal issue, but also about how different segments of society perceive immigrants. These policies directly affect not only immigrants, but also the social structure of American society and the country’s global image.
The US reversal of TPS decisions creates great uncertainty for migrants and risks deepening humanitarian crises in Latin America. The Trump administration’s policies could lead to major legal battles over migrants’ rights and damage the image of the United States internationally.
At the same time, this process also calls into question the global responsibilities of the United States. The crises in Latin America are intertwined with problems for which the United States has historically been responsible. Therefore, policies to protect migrants from these countries should be considered not only as a humanitarian issue, but also as a diplomatic and geopolitical imperative.
The decisions of the courts in the coming months could determine the future of US immigration policy. The struggle for migrants’ rights will continue to be of great importance, not only in the US but around the world.
[1] “TPS Holders Sue Trump Administration to Protect Venezuelan U.S. Residents”, ACLU Northern California, https://www.aclunc.org/news/tps-holders-sue-trump-administration-protect-venezuelan-us-residents, (Accessed Date: 02.24.2025).
[2] “Trump Administration Cuts Duration of Deportation Protections for 521,000 Haitians”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-administration-cuts-duration-haitian-deportation-protections-august-2025-02-20/, (Accessed Date: 02.24.2025).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Raymond, Nate. “Lawsuits Challenge Trump’s End to Deportation Protections for Venezuelans”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelans-sue-us-challenge-trumps-end-deportation-protections-2025-02-20/, (Accessed Date: 02.24.2025).
[5] Ibid.
[6] IOM UN Migration. “Haiti Displacement Triples Surpassing One Million as Humanitarian Crisis Worsens”, International Organization for Migration, https://www.iom.int/news/haiti-displacement-triples-surpassing-one-million-humanitarian-crisis-worsens, (Accessed Date: 02.24.2025).
[7] “Trump Repeats Baseless Claim About Haitian Immigrants Eating Pets”, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77l28myezko, (Accessed Date: 02.24.2025).
[8] Taer, Jannie. “Trump Admin Resumes Deportation Flights to Venezuela, Booting Illegal Migrants, Gangbangers Back Home — with Lots to Go”, New York Post, https://nypost.com/2025/02/11/us-news/us-resumes-deportation-flights-to-venezuela-booting-illegal-migrants-gangbangers-back-home-with-lots-to-go/, (Accessed Date: 02.24.2025).
