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Trump Administration Moves to End Temporary Protected Status for Migrants

The Trump administration is set to revoke Temporary Protected Status for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans by April’s end, affecting over 532,000 migrants. Advocacy groups are challenging this decision through federal lawsuits, arguing it is discriminatory. Secretary Kristi Noem’s statements suggest that the program failed to improve border security and complicated the immigration landscape in local communities.

The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) immigration program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans by the end of April. This program had provided work permits and protections for approximately 532,000 migrants during the Biden administration. Advocacy groups suggest that about 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians currently benefit from this program, and several federal lawsuits are underway to prevent its cessation.

By revoking work permits and protections, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has essentially invited affected migrants to leave voluntarily or face potential deportation. The program will officially conclude 30 days after a formal notice is published in the Federal Register, with Venezuelans facing deportation as early as April 8.

Migrant advocates have characterized the move to end TPS as discriminatory. Jose Palma from the national TPS Alliance referred to the action as “racist and inaccurate,” emphasizing that TPS holders have legal residency due to unsafe conditions in their home countries. Additionally, Viles Dorsainvil, a participant in legal efforts against the policy, described the move as a continuation of stigmatization against Haitians.

This termination is part of Donald Trump’s broader immigration policy, which seeks to reinforce border security and implement mass deportations of undocumented individuals. On his first day in office, he ordered the termination of the TPS program for these four nations as part of his approach to immigration reform and border security.

Noem stated that the TPS program did not achieve the intended deterrent effects on illegal immigration at the southern border. Rather than relieving border pressure, she indicated that it complicated interior enforcement of immigration laws and intensified issues within local communities, as new arrivals compete for limited resources.

The Trump administration’s decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela marks a significant shift in immigration policy, impacting over half a million individuals. Amid ongoing federal lawsuits and potential legal battles, advocates continue to oppose these changes, labeling them as racially discriminatory. The implications of this decision could ripple through affected communities as immigrants face uncertainty regarding their legal status and future in the United States.

Original Source: www.usatoday.com

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