Recently, North Carolina’s Venezuelan community, comprising approximately 25,000 individuals, is grappling with the impending end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under President Trump’s administration. Business owner Ricardo Rossi expresses deep concerns about the implications for his family and investments. With over 300,000 Venezuelans potentially facing deportation, discussions surrounding humanitarian protections are ongoing, as community leaders advocate for legislative solutions amid Venezuela’s dire circumstances.
As the bustling Friday night rush commences at the Triangle’s unofficial Venezuelan street food hub, Ricardo Rossi, the owner of BB’s Grill, prepares his signature dish, the Trimagnetica, a sizable burger featuring chicken, steak, pork, and fried eggs. Rossi pioneered the establishment of his food truck in a parking lot near Highway 70 in southeast Durham three years ago. Since then, three additional Venezuelan food trucks and a Mexican taco truck have emerged in the area, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of Venezuelan immigrants like Rossi, who has also opened a small bodega selling Venezuelan groceries and snacks.
Rossi describes the Venezuelan community as hardworking, educated individuals who fled their homeland due to dire circumstances. North Carolina hosts approximately 25,000 Venezuelans, reflecting a broader exodus of nearly 7 million people from Venezuela over the past decade. Many, including Rossi, escaped a crumbling economy exacerbated by the authoritarian regime of President Nicolás Maduro. Since his arrival in 2017, Rossi has invested time and effort to establish his business, buy a home, and build a new life in America.
However, uncertainty looms as President Donald Trump’s administration recently decided to terminate the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. The cancellation, along with similar actions concerning Haitian migrants, has left many Venezuelans feeling blindsided and anxious about their future in the U.S. Rossi expresses concern about the potential consequences for his investments and his family’s future, stating, “At this moment, I’m wondering what’s going to happen to my family… I try not to look at the news because I get nervous.”
The TPS program currently provides legal protections for nearly 863,000 individuals from various nations who have fled crises. By early April, the termination of TPS could jeopardize legal status for over 300,000 Venezuelans, potentially exposing them to deportation to a nation marred by reports of violence and autocracy. While Rossi’s daughter has TPS, he himself faced a denial when he applied for it. Rossi implores authorities to reconsider TPS applications for individuals who have made significant contributions to society, stating, “I plead to the authorities… to do everything the best that they can.”
In addition to TPS, the Trump administration seeks to dismantle humanitarian parole programs that have allowed numerous Venezuelan migrants safe entry into the U.S. Although Trump initially established TPS for Venezuelans in 2021, recent legal challenges to this decision have emerged. Patricia Parada, leader of Casa de Venezuela in Raleigh, emphasizes the escalating crises in Venezuela, expressing deep concern about the potential repercussions of these decisions. Parada affirms that many TPS recipients within her network face heightened anxiety about the future.
Furthermore, the Venezuelan government has barred its citizens from returning without valid passports, which many expatriates have been unable to renew due to the absence of Venezuelan consulates in the U.S. Additionally, historian Miguel Chirinos notes the historical ties between North Carolina and Venezuela and remains hopeful for a resolution regarding the TPS matter. He opines that some affected individuals may still qualify for refugee status contingent on the conditions in Venezuela, stating, “I know that it’s a big question mark right now, but sooner or later… this American administration has to do something about it.”
As of December, statistics reveal that over 132,000 Venezuelans have pending asylum cases, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by this community.
The Venezuelan community in North Carolina faces significant uncertainty following President Trump’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans. This potential revocation places over 300,000 individuals at risk of deportation amidst ongoing humanitarian crises in Venezuela. Individuals like Ricardo Rossi highlight the community’s resilience and the importance of legal protections for those who have integrated into American society and contributed economically. As discussions continue, many hope for legislative solutions to support affected families and individuals amidst this turbulent situation.
Original Source: www.wunc.org
