Latinos supported Trump without imagining that they would lose TPS status in the United States

• Latinos Supported Trump
• Testimonies from Venezuelans
• Loss of TPS in the U.S.

Thousands of Venezuelans in the United States face deportation risk following former President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Among them is Ronald Bellorin, a university professor who fled Venezuela in 2018 seeking safety.

Now, his work permit will expire in April, and by September, he will lose protection from deportation.

«I thought we would be safe here,» said Bellorin, reflecting the uncertainty faced by approximately 350,000 Venezuelans affected by this policy change.

Disillusionment in Doral After Trump’s Decision

 

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Doral, a Florida city with a large Venezuelan population, was a stronghold of support for Trump in previous elections.

According to Miami-Dade County statistics, in 2024, the former president received 62% of the vote in the region.

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However, his decision to eliminate TPS has sparked outrage within the community.

John De La Vega, an immigration attorney and U.S. Army veteran, expressed his frustration over the move.

«The Venezuelan community supported Trump, but this is not what we expected,» he stated.

Bellorin recalled his departure from Venezuela as a last resort due to political persecution. «I never wanted to leave. We were persecuted. Now they are throwing us out of here,» he declared.

In Miami, his asylum request was denied in 2023, despite officials finding his testimony credible.

«They said my story was true, but not serious enough to be considered persecution,» he explained.

While TPS was in place, he was able to work, but now he faces an uncertain future after the loss of it. «We cannot go back,» he stated.

Andrea Gabriela Rangel Walther, 29, faces a similar situation. Her family supported Trump, and now her father is at risk of deportation.

«He says Trump is just defending his country,» she told The Washington Post.

However, in Doral, many now feel betrayed by the former president.

Rangel recalled Trump’s stance on the criminal gang Tren de Aragua and his visits to Doral.

«Trump has been in Doral. He has seen that not all Venezuelans are criminals,» she said.

Her husband, a U.S. citizen, confronted her father after TPS was revoked.

«You wanted to vote for Trump, and now look—he’s throwing you out,» he told him.

Samir Luzardo, a journalist who fled Venezuela in 2016 due to threats, also fears migrant deportations.

«Trump knows what is happening in Venezuela, but this does not align with reality,» he stated.

For many in his situation, returning is not an option.

The Venezuelan community’s fears grew after reports surfaced about an agreement between Trump’s administration and Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

In this deal, Venezuela agreed to accept deported nationals in exchange for the U.S. refraining from questioning the 2024 presidential elections.

Luzardo called this agreement a betrayal of democratic values. «Giving legitimacy to an illegitimate government is unacceptable,» he said.

With the imminent revocation of TPS, attorneys like De La Vega report a surge in concerned calls from immigrants.

«Parents are asking if they can still send their kids to school,» he revealed.

Many Venezuelans are now exploring legal options to avoid deportation, while others fear leaving their homes for work.

The loss of TPS may also have political consequences.

Venezuelans who gained U.S. citizenship may reconsider their support for the Republican Party.

«This will have an impact at the polls,» concluded De La Vega, according to The Washington Post‘.

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