U.S. Will Keep Deporting Venezuelan Migrants, Noem Says

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended the administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, despite concerns about chaos unfolding in their home country following Nicolás Maduro’s capture.

Why it matters: Roughly 600,000 Venezuelans living legally in the U.S. under TPS face potential deportation to a nation whose future government remains deeply uncertain.

The big picture: Asked on “Fox News Sunday” if Venezuelans should remain in the U.S. given the instability, Noem argued that Venezuela is “more free today than it was yesterday” and insisted TPS holders can apply for refugee status instead.

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The backdrop: The Trump administration terminated TPS for Venezuelans earlier this year. The Supreme Court allowed the termination to proceed while litigation continues.

• President Trump also halted asylum applications from 19 countries, including Venezuela, after a shooting incident in D.C.

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