Topline
A federal judge delayed the Trump administration’s attempt to strip around 350,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. of their temporary protected status, accusing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem of making “sweeping generalizations” about Venezuelans with the immigration status.
The ruling was issued Monday evening. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Judge Edward M. Chen granted a motion by the National TPS Alliance to postpone the removal of temporary protected status from Venezuelan migrants in the U.S.
The Venezuelan migrants would have lost their statuses on April 7 had Chen sided with the Trump administration.
Chen accused Noem of making “sweeping generalizations” about Venezuelans, saying her action against the migrants’ temporary protected status appeared “predicated on negative stereotypes casting class-wide aspersions on their character.”
Chen’s decision comes after the Trump administration deported over 250 Venezuelans to El Salvador and alleged they had ties to criminal gang Tren de Aragua, as lawyers for some of the deportees have argued their clients are not part of the gang.
The Trump administration has a week to appeal Chen’s order.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Tangent
The Trump administration recently asked the Supreme Court to overturn a decision from district court Judge James Boasberg ruling that it must stop deporting Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act. Boasberg argued the act violated due process rights of Venezuelans, though the Trump administration has continued deporting Venezuelans to El Salvador.
Key Background
Last month, Noem rescinded TPS extensions for Venezuelans and Haitians issued by the Biden administration in January. Temporary protected status allows migrants from countries facing issues like armed conflict, environmental disasters or other extraordinary circumstances to live and work in the U.S. temporarily. Venezuela has for years dealt with political corruption, a failing economy and an energy crisis, among other problems. Noem claimed in her decision to rescind temporary protected status for Venezuelans in the U.S. that conditions in the migrants’ home country “no longer” met the criteria for citizens to be eligible for temporary protected status.
Further Reading
Judge Boasberg Rejects Trump Request For Deportation Flights Under Alien Enemies Act—Again (Forbes)
Trump Takes Venezuela Deportations Battle To Supreme Court (Forbes)
Read the full article here