Uncertainty Haunts North Carolina’s Venezuelan Community Amid TPS Termination

Ricardo Rossi, owner of BB’s Grill in Durham, reflects the struggles of North Carolina’s Venezuelan community threatened by Trump’s end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). With over 300,000 Venezuelans at risk of deportation back to violence and instability, the community is anxious. Activists are calling for reconsideration, arguing that many have invested their lives in the U.S. amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

As the evening rush begins in Durham’s burgeoning Venezuelan food scene, Ricardo Rossi, owner of BB’s Grill, prepares a large burger called Trimagnetica, made with chicken, steak, pork, and fried eggs. Rossi kickstarted this movement three years ago with his food truck parked off Highway 70, and now three other Venezuelan food trucks and a Mexican taco truck have joined him. To further support his community, Rossi opened a small bodega next to his truck, selling Venezuelan groceries and snacks.

Rossi, who left Venezuela due to its economic collapse under the Maduro regime, reflects on the struggles of his community. North Carolina is now home to roughly 25,000 Venezuelans. Many, like Rossi, have sought refuge from turmoil, aiming to build a new life in the United States. Despite initially thriving in their new environment, recent developments have left them feeling vulnerable.

The situation turned precarious when the Trump administration announced the termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans in late January. This change threatens to strip legal status from over 300,000 Venezuelans as of early April, exposing them to the risk of deportation back to a nation beset by violence and suffering.

Rossi has an active asylum case but faced a TPS denial. His daughter possesses TPS, but Rossi’s uncertainty looms large over the future for himself and his investments in the U.S. “At this moment, I’m wondering what’s going to happen to my family, you know? I’m not reassured that … my business, my employees are safe,” he lamented.

The TPS program, which safeguards nearly 863,000 individuals from multiple countries, is crucial for those fleeing war and dictatorship. Meanwhile, humanitarian programs allowing the influx of other migrants are also on the chopping block. Despite being the one to establish TPS for Venezuelans in 2021, Trump’s current approach is causing distress within the immigrant community.

Patricia Parada, of Casa de Venezuela, emphasizes that returning to Venezuela is not feasible. She observes, “The humanitarian crisis … is increasingly more difficult. That’s why this decision shocked us so much.” Meetings among community leaders to address this issue are ongoing, but many fear for their futures.

Moreover, the Venezuelan government has restricted reentry of its own citizens, complicating matters further. With expired passports and no open consulates in the U.S. since 2023, many find themselves in a precarious situation. Historian Miguel Chirinos notes the longstanding ties between North Carolina and Venezuela, expressing hope that the U.S. government will eventually address the situation positively.

While uncertainty hangs heavily, some Venezuelans may still qualify for refugee status. As of December, over 132,000 Venezuelans had pending asylum cases, reflecting the ongoing need for legal protections.

The Venezuelan community in North Carolina faces significant uncertainty following the Trump administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status, jeopardizing the status of many immigrants who fled dire conditions. The loss of TPS could lead to deportation for over 300,000 individuals, against the backdrop of a raging humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Community leaders continue to advocate for those seeking refuge and await potential government action to protect immigrant welfare.

Original Source: www.wunc.org