SILVER SPRING, Maryland – The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), condemns in the strongest terms the Trump administration's revocation of the Biden administration's extension of temporary legal protections for more than 600,000 Venezuelans seeking safety in the United States.

"This decision is a betrayal of our nation's moral and legal obligations to protect those fleeing violence and persecution," said Anna Gallagher, executive director of CLINIC. "Stripping temporary legal protections from Venezuelans not only exposes a very vulnerable population to deportation but also contradicts our core values as a nation rooted in values of justice and protecting the oppressed. Catholic social teaching calls us to uphold the sacred dignity of every human being, to welcome the stranger, and to care for those in need. This action is a direct affront to those principles."

Venezuela remains in the throes of a dire humanitarian crisis, with rampant political oppression, food shortages, and economic hardship forcing millions to flee. The Biden administration's extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) offered a lifeline to Venezuelans who have sought refuge in the United States.

"This announcement exacerbates uncertainty and fear for many individuals who were already unsure about their future," said Ilissa Mira, CLINIC senior attorney. "Now, they must await this administration's review of an extension that had previously been approved."

"Venezuelan TPS recipients are our friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers who contribute immensely to our communities and this country," said Pedro Aleman, policy advocate at CLINIC. "More than half a million lives will be affected by this decision — including those of individuals in mixed-status families with U.S. citizen children and spouses."

"We must not allow political agendas to dictate who is worthy of protection," Gallagher continued. "Our Catholic faith compels us to speak out against such injustice and to advocate for policies that affirm the dignity of every human life."

CLINIC remains committed to defending the rights of immigrants and refugees and will continue to provide legal assistance and advocacy to those impacted by this decision.