Public Statement by VEPPEX:
We Urge the U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans.
Miami, Florida – May 15, 2025. The Organization of Politically Persecuted Venezuelans in Exile (VEPPEX) respectfully urges the U.S. Supreme Court to maintain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 348,000 Venezuelans who face the threat of deportation following the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to revoke this vital protection.
Since our founding in 2008, VEPPEX has advocated for the human rights of exiled Venezuelans, documenting the political persecution and humanitarian crisis that have forced over 7.7 million people to flee Venezuela. TPS, granted in 2021 and 2023, has enabled hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans to build stable lives in the United States, contributing to their communities while seeking refuge from violence, food insecurity, and repression in their homeland. The order issued by Federal Judge Edward Chen on March 31, 2025, rightfully protected this designation until October 2026, and we ask the Supreme Court to uphold this decision.
An Unprecedented Humanitarian Crisis
Venezuela remains mired in one of the Western Hemisphere’s worst humanitarian crises. According to the United Nations, 80% of the population faces food insecurity, and hyperinflation, projected at 500% for 2025, has obliterated purchasing power. The regime’s political repression has resulted in thousands of political prisoners and a diaspora unable to return without risking persecution or death. Deporting TPS beneficiaries would violate the principle of non-refoulement, exposing them to inhumane conditions and mortal dangers.
Essential Contributions to the United States
Venezuelans with TPS are an integral part of the social and economic fabric of the United States. Seventy-four percent of beneficiaries are employed, many in essential sectors such as healthcare, construction, and hospitality, and 57% hold college degrees. According to 2023 studies, they contribute $13 billion to the GDP and $1.3 billion in taxes annually. Their deportation would not only devastate their families but also cause significant economic losses in states like Florida, Texas, and New York, where they have established deep roots.
An Arbitrary and Discriminatory Decision
The DHS’s revocation of TPS, announced in February 2025, was arbitrary, capricious, and motivated by prejudice, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and constitutional principles of equal protection. Statements by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have unjustly associated Venezuelans with criminality, ignoring data showing their low crime rates. Judicial precedents, such as Ramos v. Nielsen (2018) and Saget v. Trump (2019), have rejected similar attempts to terminate TPS on improper grounds, and this case should be no exception.
A Call for Justice
We respectfully urge the Supreme Court to:
Uphold Judge Chen’s order, which protects TPS beneficiaries from deportation and ensures their stability until October 2026.
Consider the irreparable harm faced by Venezuelans, their families, and U.S. communities if TPS revocation is allowed.
Recognize the legal violations and biases underlying the DHS’s decision, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to justice and human rights.
José Antonio Colina.