Today's News: Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Revoke Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans

Originally granted by the Biden administration due to Venezuela's instability, the protections were challenged after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated the extension.

Terrence Dorsey

May 19, 2025

Photo: Christian Torres / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

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Date: May 19, 2025
Topic: Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Revoke Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans
Summary: The Supreme Court issued an unsigned order permitting the Trump administration to proceed with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 350,000 Venezuelans. Originally granted by the Biden administration due to Venezuela's instability, the protections were challenged after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated the extension. The legal battle continues in lower courts, but the high court's order—issued without detailed reasoning—has immediate humanitarian and legal consequences, potentially triggering widespread deportations.

Sources

Key Points

The Supreme Court's unsigned, two-paragraph decision lets the Trump administration terminate TPS for Venezuelans while litigation continues.
The affected individuals had legal work authorization and residency protections granted under the Biden administration.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole noted dissenter.
Advocacy groups and attorneys criticized the lack of explanation and the potential for mass deportations.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem justified the termination by citing national security and public resource strain.
District Judge Edward Chen had previously blocked the termination, citing potential racial bias and procedural violations.
Congress originally created TPS in 1990 to protect migrants from war or disaster-stricken nations.

Unique Highlights

CNN detailed the court's ambiguity in its order, noting it left open whether previously granted work permits would remain valid.
NBC News cited a 2023 TPS extension set to expire in 2026 that is now voided.
Fox News emphasized Sauer’s argument that the program involved executive discretion shielded from judicial interference.
The Washington Post highlighted the alleged reliance on negative stereotypes and the possible link to the Tren de Aragua gang.
The Wall Street Journal noted that nearly 350,000 people could lose the right to live and work in the U.S. immediately.

Contrasting Details

While all outlets acknowledged the decision's significant impact, Fox News and The Wall Street Journal emphasized executive authority and policy discretion, whereas CNN, NBC News, and The Washington Post stressed potential racial bias and humanitarian fallout.
The New York Times and The Washington Post gave greater attention to prior judicial rulings, while CNN focused more on confusion and legal ambiguity in implementation.
Fox News framed the challenge as judicial overreach, whereas other sources framed it as a civil rights issue.

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