Venezuelans who have legal permission to live and work in the United States are being unlawfully arrested by federal authorities, according to attorneys. These individuals are being detained, sometimes for weeks, despite the law explicitly forbidding the government from keeping them behind bars. Attorneys have witnessed widespread mistreatment and government abuses, and the level of impunity in these actions is unprecedented.

The Venezuelans who are being apprehended possess temporary protected status (TPS), which allows people to stay in the United States if it is unsafe for them to return to their home countries due to extraordinary circumstances. Venezuela qualifies for TPS due to the ongoing crisis and the forced displacement of nearly eight million citizens. Despite the federal government’s recognition of their inability to safely return home, the Trump administration has been targeting and detaining Venezuelan TPS holders.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/05/immigration-venezuelans-detained-legal-status