Fact Check Analysis: Supreme Court lets Trump move toward ending temporary deportation protections for Venezuelans




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Introduction

This article was flagged by readers due to confusion over why the U.S. Supreme Court would allow the Trump administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans — especially when Venezuela remains a country under severe political and humanitarian stress. The user’s question gets to the heart of the matter: why would anyone be sent back to a country the U.S. government itself warns Americans to avoid?

Historical Context

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was established under the Immigration Act of 1990 to offer temporary refuge to immigrants from countries facing war, natural disasters, or dangerous conditions that prevent safe return. Venezuela was granted TPS in 2021 due to its deepening economic collapse, political unrest, and widespread human rights abuses. These protections were expanded in 2023, with over 500,000 Venezuelans receiving relief from deportation. Amid renewed political tensions, the Trump administration’s move to revoke these protections has raised concerns among human rights advocates, legal experts, and policymakers.

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Claim #1: The Supreme Court allowed Trump to end TPS for Venezuelans.

This is accurate. On May 20, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a brief, unsigned order that clears the way for the Trump administration to proceed with ending TPS protections for Venezuelans. The Court did not provide a detailed explanation and noted ambiguity around which individuals the ruling would affect. However, the decision effectively overturned lower court blocks, allowing the administration to pursue its withdrawal of TPS protections granted under the Biden administration’s 2023 extension.

Source: U.S. Supreme Court Docket

Claim #2: Venezuela is still too dangerous to safely return its nationals.

This claim is supported by multiple government sources. The U.S. State Department currently maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Venezuela due to threats of wrongful detention, terrorism, crime, and civil unrest. These conditions have persisted for years and were cited in 2021, 2023, and again in early 2025 during TPS renewals. Judge Edward Chen’s ruling echoed these risks, referencing the systemic collapse of Venezuela’s public infrastructure and security enforcement.

Source: U.S. State Department Travel Advisory

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Claim #3: Over 550,000 Venezuelans are set to lose TPS protections due to the ruling.

This claim is accurate. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), TPS for Venezuelans covered approximately 300,000 individuals under the 2021 designation and another estimated 250,000 under the 2023 expansion. The May 2025 Supreme Court decision affects the 2023 extension, directly jeopardizing protections for nearly a quarter million migrants. If no further legal blocks arise, these individuals could face deportation beginning in September 2025.

Source: DHS.gov

Claim #4: The Trump administration is legally allowed to end TPS for a country if it believes conditions have improved.

Legally speaking, yes. The Immigration and Nationality Act gives the executive branch broad discretion to designate or terminate TPS status if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that the originating country no longer meets the criteria. However, such decisions must comply with administrative procedures and be free from discriminatory intent. In this case, challengers alleged violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and claimed racial and political bias. Though a lower court sided with the plaintiffs, the Supreme Court’s order allowed enforcement to proceed while appeals continue.

Source: Congressional Research Service

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Conclusion

The article accurately reports on the Supreme Court’s order allowing the Trump administration to move forward with terminating TPS for Venezuelans, despite Venezuela’s continuing instability. The information about the number of affected migrants, legal challenges, and specific details about the State Department’s travel warning is consistent with government data and court records. However, the article presents these facts with a tone of alarm, understandably reflecting immigrant advocacy perspectives. Nonetheless, no factual inaccuracies or deliberate distortions were found, and it includes multiple sources and viewpoints.

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