In Miami’s vibrant “Little Venezuela,” also known as “Doralzuela,” a sense of uncertainty hangs over the community as the Trump administration moves to end two federal programs that have allowed over 700,000 Venezuelans, along with hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, to live and work legally in the U.S.
Wilmer Escaray, a successful Venezuelan entrepreneur who owns a dozen businesses, is among those deeply concerned. His companies employ many Venezuelan migrants who are now fearful of losing their legal shield against deportation. “It’s unfortunate to lose that human capital because there are people who do work here that others won’t do,” Escaray said.
The community, known for its strong cultural ties to Venezuela, is filled with the sounds of Spanish and the aromas of traditional Venezuelan dishes like arepas.
However, the looming threat of deportation has cast a shadow over this vibrant neighborhood. Many Venezuelans, like John, who owns a construction company with his partner, are on Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows them to live and work in the U.S. but does not offer a path to citizenship. John and his wife are worried about their future and the impact on their U.S.-born daughter.
A recent court ruling has temporarily spared at least 350,000 Venezuelans from losing their TPS protections, but the long-term future remains uncertain.
The humanitarian parole program, which expires on April 24, has provided legal status to over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Without these protections, many face the daunting prospect of returning to Venezuela, a country plagued by political and economic turmoil.
The mayor of Doral has appealed to President Trump to provide a legal pathway for Venezuelans who have not committed crimes, while some Republican representatives from Florida have urged the government to review TPS beneficiaries on a case-by-case basis.
As the situation unfolds, the Venezuelan community in Miami holds onto hope that a solution will be found to allow them to continue building their lives in the U.S.
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