The Washington Centre for Human Rights unequivocally denounces this recent, inhumane decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the thousands of Venezuelans who fled the recent crisis and are now living in the United States, mostly in South Florida. This will undoubtedly throw countless people who already suffer tremendous hardship as a result of the continuing government debacle in Venezuela into a state of legal doubt with potential deportation and risk of severe human rights violations.
The withdrawal of TPS protections is an egregious violation of the obligations of humanity and a betrayal of the commitment of the United States to protect vulnerable and displaced populations. Many of these people have built lives, families, and professions in the United States, contributing to local communities, while being unable to return home to Venezuela safely, given the continuing repression and lack of basic services and infrastructure.
The Washington Centre for Human Rights urges the United States government to take prompt, coordinated action with international organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). These organizations must guarantee that Venezuelans will not be forcibly returned or face punitive immigration actions that contravene international human rights obligations.
With the termination of TPS, meanings of which include temporary protective status, critical protections that uphold the rights to safety, dignity, and non-refoulement for those fleeing persecution or systemic failure of the state, will be undermined. The human toll is staggering, with thousands at risk of losing legal status, employment, and access to critical services.
The Washington Centre urges the U.S. government to reinstate or extend TPS for Venezuelans and to generate a comprehensive framework for humanitarian immigration reform that reflects both their duty to protect and international law. The protection of displaced people should remain a defining feature of democratic governance and moral obligation.
“Human rights must not be conditional on political expediency,”
said a spokesperson for the Washington Centre. “Taking protections from non-citizens fleeing authoritarianism and crisis is not only wrong, but it also undermines the legitimacy of countries that consider themselves as champions of freedoms and human rights.”
The Washington Centre for Human Rights reaffirms its ongoing commitment to:
- Documenting the human rights impact of displacement and migration policies around the world.
- Amplifying the voices of vulnerable and marginalized populations.
- Advocating for policy solutions rooted in justice, accountability, and compassion.
The Centre calls for an urgent dialogue between policymakers, international agencies, and civil society to restore protection measures and reaffirm common commitments to humanitarian law and moral leadership.