The recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that paves the way for the elimination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans has raised alarms among entrepreneurs and business owners in South Florida, who rely heavily on the migrant workforce protected by this benefit.
Far from being merely a legal or political matter, the measure threatens to provoke direct economic consequences in key sectors of the regional economy, from construction and hospitality to cleaning and restoration services.
Antonio Lobo, president of a real estate agency in Weston, Broward, is one of many employers affected by the decision. His company, which operates in Florida and Georgia, relies on Venezuelan workers with TPS for cleaning and property renovation tasks.
"Many people depend on them: workers and family members. We are good people. They should only eliminate the bad actors and keep those who work hard," Lobo stated in comments to Local 10.
The concern extends beyond her company: her brother, who owns a painting business, also has all his employees under this immigration status.
Alma Chacón, an immigration attorney, warned that the impact of the ruling extends beyond the Venezuelan context, also affecting Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Cuban immigrants included in the CHNV parole program.
"We have people working in restaurants and all types of businesses. They are entrepreneurs who have created their own ventures," he explained.
Chacón emphasized that many TPS beneficiaries entered the country legally and then relied on that protection to build a stable life.
I urged everyone to take immediate action before the deportation.
"They need to act now, not only from a migratory standpoint, but also regarding what will happen to their children and all their assets in the United States."
The uncertainty is spreading to large corporations such as Walt Disney World, which has just suspended 45 Venezuelan employees with TPS while they attempt to regularize their immigration status.
The company stated that employees have 30 days to present a valid work authorization or they will lose their jobs.
"We are committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of all our employees," said a spokesperson, reflecting the legal issues that many companies with diverse workforces now face.
Business leaders like Wilmer Escaray, owner of a dozen restaurants in Doral - the renowned "Little Venezuela" of South Florida - are adding their voices to the chorus of warnings.
"It's very regrettable to lose that human capital because there are people here who do jobs that others won't do," he stated.
His testimony matches that of John, a Venezuelan owner of a construction company who has been in the United States for almost a decade under TPS. "It hurts us that the government is turning its back on us. We didn't come to commit crimes; we came to work, to build," he said.
Although the Supreme Court did not address the merits of the case, the ruling dismantles the expanded immigration protections implemented during the Biden administration and allows the White House, now under Republican leadership, to proceed with a more restrictive policy.
Although deportations are not automatic, employers fear the massive loss of essential workers who are already integrated into the economic system.
The Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce has also warned about the risk of destabilizing the local economy and causing an unnecessary humanitarian crisis.
In light of this new reality, attorneys and advocates for immigration rights are urging TPS beneficiaries to take urgent legal steps to protect their status.
Meanwhile, South Florida faces an uncertain future, with businesses at risk of collapsing due to the potential loss of thousands of employees who sustain a significant portion of the daily economic activity.
Impact of the Supreme Court Ruling on TPS for Venezuelans in South Florida
How does the elimination of TPS affect businesses in South Florida?
The elimination of TPS could lead to a massive loss of essential workers in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and cleaning services, which threatens to destabilize the local economy. Entrepreneurs like Antonio Lobo and Wilmer Escaray express their concern over the potential loss of employees who perform critical tasks for their operations.
What measures are the companies affected by the TPS revocation taking?
Companies like Walt Disney World have begun suspending Venezuelan employees with TPS, giving them a 30-day deadline to regularize their status or face termination of their contracts. Companies and attorneys are urging TPS beneficiaries to take urgent legal action to protect their status and avoid deportation.
What are the legal implications of the Supreme Court's decision on TPS?
The Supreme Court's ruling allows the government to eliminate TPS for more than 300,000 Venezuelans, paving the way for deportation processes. Although the revocation does not imply automatic deportations, it leaves thousands of families in a state of legal and employment uncertainty.
Why is TPS important for the Venezuelan community in South Florida?
The TPS has been essential for thousands of Venezuelans to work and reside legally in the United States, especially in areas like Doral, known as "Little Venezuela." The loss of TPS could destabilize this community, forcing many to face the possibility of returning to a country in political and economic crisis.
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