As Venezuela struggles with the aftermath of the twin powerful earthquakes that devastated large portions of the country, Venezuelan Americans, immigration attorneys, and community leaders are urging the Trump administration to halt deportations and restore Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the United States.
The calls intensified Thursday after images of collapsed buildings, overwhelmed hospitals, and ongoing rescue operations emerged from the disaster zone. Advocates argue that forcing Venezuelans to return while the country faces a humanitarian emergency would contradict the purpose of the TPS program, which Congress created to protect people from being sent back to countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
However, the request comes just hours after the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end legal protections for migrants fleeing violence and natural disaster in Haiti and Syria, exposing hundreds of thousands more people to potential deportation.
Among those calling for immediate action was South Florida immigration attorney John R. De La Vega, who appealed directly to President Donald Trump's administration.
"Today I respectfully ask the administration of President Donald Trump to reconsider its decision to eliminate TPS for Venezuelans and extend this humanitarian protection in light of the devastation caused by the recent earthquake in Venezuela," De La Vega wrote on X.
He added that the disaster has "left fatalities, thousands of people affected, destroyed communities, and an even more severe humanitarian crisis in a country that was already facing profound economic, political, and social difficulties."
"At this moment, forcing thousands of Venezuelans to return would expose them to extremely dangerous and inhumane conditions," he wrote.
De La Vega concluded by arguing that "TPS was created precisely to respond to extraordinary situations like this. Today, more than ever, Venezuelans need compassion, protection, and a humanitarian response that reflects the values of solidarity and respect for human dignity."
Today, I respectfully ask the Trump administration to reconsider its decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans and to extend this humanitarian protection in light of the devastating earthquake that has struck Venezuela.
— John R. De La Vega, P.A. (@johndelavegalaw) June 25, 2026
This disaster has claimed…
Secretary @marcorubio President @realDonaldTrump please reinstate TPS for Venezuela, thousands of families depend on remittance shipments, the current tragedy is of gigantic proportions plus the Chavista looting. The reports are not encouraging! helped our people 🙏
— Miguel Ángel Castellanos A (@MigueCasteA) June 25, 2026
Time for Trump to bring back TPS for Venezuela, just like he gave them Deferred Enforced Departure in January 2021. https://t.co/qNg5hNaplB pic.twitter.com/Xsxryk87NL
— David J. Bier (@David_J_Bier) June 25, 2026
The administration did not extend TPS for Venezuela because the country conditions were not met according to DHS. Well, it's time to reconsider. #tps #venezuela #uscis #earthquake pic.twitter.com/O0GqBBRZl1
— Nick Chavez (@legalcartoons) June 25, 2026
Pienso que dos terremotos son motivos más que suficientes para dar TPS a Venezuela y se puedan enviar ayuda e insumos a familias
— José “Kalule” Ortiz (@Gorila081) June 25, 2026
The plea echoes a broader movement among Venezuelan-American organizations and immigration advocates who say the earthquakes have fundamentally changed the humanitarian landscape in Venezuela and warrant immediate action by the Department of Homeland Security. Several advocacy groups have begun circulating petitions and statements urging the administration to suspend removals while recovery efforts continue.
The renewed push comes months after the Trump administration terminated TPS protections for Venezuelans, leaving hundreds of thousands at risk of losing work authorization and facing deportation. The decision remains the subject of ongoing legal challenges, while the Supreme Court has allowed the administration to proceed as litigation continues.
TPS allows nationals of designated countries to remain and work legally in the United States when conditions in their homeland temporarily prevent a safe return. Natural disasters have historically been among the reasons administrations of both parties have designated or redesignated countries for the humanitarian program.
The latest calls also build on previous appeals from elected officials. Earlier this year, Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins urged President Trump to restore TPS for Venezuelans, arguing that instability in Venezuela continued to make the country unsafe for return.
For many Venezuelan Americans, the earthquakes have added a new layer of urgency to an already dire humanitarian situation. Millions had already fled years of political repression, economic collapse and shortages of food, medicine and public services. Now, advocates say, widespread destruction from the earthquakes makes deportations even more untenable.
As rescue crews continue searching for survivors and thousands remain displaced, community leaders are asking the administration to use the humanitarian authority provided under U.S. immigration law to once again protect Venezuelans from being forced to return.
"As long as Venezuela remains in the midst of this humanitarian catastrophe," De La Vega said, "the United States should respond with compassion, not deportations.
The TPS program protects a total of 1.3 million people from 17 countries.
