Miami Mayor Urges Trump to Immediately Reinstate TPS for Venezuelans

By: Christopher Louissaint |Haitian Prime News|January 4, 2026|Miami, Florida

Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins is calling on former U.S. President Donald Trump to immediately reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals living in the United States, citing humanitarian concerns and the severe political and economic crisis in Venezuela.

In a public statement issued Saturday evening, Higgins emphasized that Miami is home to one of the largest Venezuelan diaspora communities in the country and warned that the absence of TPS protections could place thousands of families at risk of deportation, job loss, and legal uncertainty.

TPS is a humanitarian designation granted by the U.S. government to nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary conditions. Venezuelans were previously granted TPS due to political repression, economic collapse, and widespread instability under the government of Nicolás Maduro. However, the protection lapsed following policy shifts and legal challenges, leaving many Venezuelan migrants in a precarious position.

Higgins argued that conditions in Venezuela have not improved and, in many cases, have deteriorated further. She stressed that reinstating TPS would provide temporary relief, legal work authorization, and stability for Venezuelan families who have already integrated into American communities.

The appeal comes amid renewed debate over U.S.–Venezuela relations, migration enforcement, and Washington’s broader approach to humanitarian protections. Immigration advocates note that TPS decisions carry significant legal and political implications, particularly in election cycles where immigration remains a divisive issue.

As of Sunday night, Trump’s campaign and federal immigration authorities had not issued a response to the mayor’s request. Advocacy groups say they expect mounting pressure from local governments in Florida and other states with large Venezuelan populations.