The military operation against Venezuela’s government and capture of President Nicolas Maduro sent shockwaves to Venezuelans living in the U.S. and in our community, many of whom are wondering what happens next.
There’s some conflicting messaging coming from the Trump Administration over whether or not thousands of Venezuelans living here will be able to stay.
It was only a few months ago that the trump administration ended temporary protective status for more than 500,000 Venezuelans, leaving some of them without a legal status to be in the country.
But after Saturday’s surprise attack in Caracas, and mixed messaging from the Department of Homeland Security, the future remains uncertain.
“I had mixed feelings, you know, of what really is gonna happen,” said Juan Pedro Del Moral, who is Venezuelan American.
Del Moral is cautiously optimistic about his native Venezuela after the Trump Administration led a surprise attack on the South American country on Saturday, taking its leader by force to face narco-terrorism charges in the U.S.
“I didn’t imagine this would happen the way it did, but we did dream that things would change one way or another,” Gaudi Galvez told NBC10 Boston in Spanish.
Many Venezuelans are wondering what it means for their future in the U.S., especially for the more than half a million people who had temporary protective status terminated late last year.
On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem signaled a path:
“Every individual that was under TPS has the opportunity to apply for refugee status and that evaluation will go forward.”
But her own agency later clarified that those applying for refugee status must do so outside of the U.S., adding “…President Trump is bringing stability to Venezuela…” and that Venezuelans can now “go home to a country that they love.”
“What she said is easy to say, very hard to navigate,” said immigration attorney Giselle Rodriguez.
Rodriguez says Venezuelans in the U.S. could still apply for asylum but it’s a high bar to clear – even for those who had TPS as immigration judges weigh the circumstances.
“They’re eliminating a threat in Venezuela and how that will benefit the citizens and residents of Venezuela and how then obviously that contradicts an asylum claim,” she explained.
For those like Del Moral who became U.S. citizens, they’re hopeful they can soon return to their families in Venezuela when the time is right.
He wasn’t able to visit his mother before she died 4 years ago…
“It was not possible so I had to say goodbye to her all over the phone,” he said. “Now I want to be able to go to Venezuela with my American passport.”
Oscar Margain
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