Venezuelan immigrants in Miami’s “Doralzuela” face deportation as the Department of Homeland Security moves to revoke legal protections for over 500,000 individuals from four countries, leaving families and businesses in limbo.
At a Glance
- DHS plans to revoke legal protections for approximately 532,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who arrived in the US since October 2022
- The revocation is set for April 24, impacting those who entered under humanitarian parole programs
- A federal judge has temporarily upheld Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for at least 350,000 Venezuelans pending legal challenges
- Doral, Florida’s “Little Venezuela” community fears economic impact as business owners and workers face uncertain futures
- Legal protection programs allow immigrants to work legally but provide no path to citizenship
Legal Protections Set to Expire
The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to revoke legal protections for approximately 532,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who arrived in the United States since October 2022. These individuals, who entered with financial sponsors under humanitarian parole programs, were granted two-year permits to live and work legally in the country. The revocation is scheduled for April 24, or 30 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
In its announcement, DHS emphasized the temporary nature of these protections. “Parole is inherently temporary, and parole alone is not an underlying basis for obtaining any immigration status,” the department stated. The policy, known as CHNV, was implemented by the Biden administration to promote legal immigration channels while addressing illegal border crossings, allowing up to 30,000 people monthly from these countries to enter with work eligibility.
Impact on Doral’s Venezuelan Community
The largest Venezuelan community in the United States, colloquially known as “Little Venezuela” or “Doralzuela” in Doral, Miami, now faces significant uncertainty. Since 2014, approximately 8 million Venezuelans have fled their homeland, with many establishing new lives in the United States. Doral has seen an influx of upper-middle-class professionals, entrepreneurs, and lower-income Venezuelans seeking employment opportunities and stability.
Those losing protections face difficult choices: deportation, returning voluntarily to Venezuela, or remaining in the US without legal status. Many consider returning to Venezuela unlikely due to the country’s ongoing political and economic turmoil. The situation has created profound anxiety within a community that has established roots, businesses, and contributed significantly to the local economy.
Legal Challenges and Political Response
The decision to end these protections has not gone unchallenged. Lawsuits have been filed to reinstate the humanitarian parole programs for affected nationalities. A federal judge has temporarily upheld Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for at least 350,000 Venezuelans pending the outcome of legal challenges. However, humanitarian parole protections for over 500,000 migrants are set to expire without court intervention.
Economic and Human Consequences
Critics of the policy change, including lawyers and activists, argue that it will cause needless chaos for families and communities across the country. The Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce has noted widespread uncertainty among community members about their future in the United States. Many Venezuelans have established businesses that employ both immigrants and American citizens, creating a significant economic footprint in South Florida.
The deportation logistics also present challenges. Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have historically been resistant to accepting deportation flights, while Haiti has accepted many despite its ongoing turmoil. This complicated diplomatic situation adds another layer of uncertainty for those affected by the policy changes as they await final decisions on their legal status and future in the United States.
