Miami’s ‘Little Venezuela’ Braces for Trump’s Immigration Moves: What It Means for Doral’s Venezuelan Community
The fate of over 700,000 Venezuelans living and working legally in the United States has become a hot topic in Miami’s Doral community, also known as “Little Venezuela.” The Trump administration’s recent decision to end two critical federal programs that allowed these Venezuelans to stay in the U.S. has left many residents in Doral, Florida, deeply anxious. For many, the news has triggered a wave of uncertainty that could jeopardise their livelihoods, security, and future in America.
Since February 2021, the Trump administration has ended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole programs, which were lifelines for Venezuelans and other migrants from countries like Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. These programs were crucial for individuals fleeing unsafe conditions, allowing them to legally work and reside in the U.S. Now, many face the harsh reality of becoming undocumented or facing deportation to a homeland marred by political and economic turmoil.
In Doral, where the largest Venezuelan community in the U.S. thrives, the atmosphere has shifted. The local economy, bolstered by businesses owned and operated by Venezuelan immigrants, is now at risk. Here, TPS holders and humanitarian parole beneficiaries who once felt secure are now questioning their future. Let’s dive into the issue and understand the challenges facing Little Venezuela as it braces for the consequences of Trump’s immigration decisions.
Doral: A Hub for Venezuelan Immigrants in the U.S.
Doral is home to about 80,000 Venezuelans, many of whom sought refuge in the U.S. following Venezuela’s political and economic collapse. This suburb of Miami has grown into a vibrant community, known for its restaurants, shops, and businesses, all offering a slice of Venezuelan culture.
For Wilmer Escaray, a successful Venezuelan immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 2007, the change in policy feels personal. Escaray, who opened his first restaurant in 2013 and now owns a dozen businesses, employs around 150 people, most of whom are Venezuelan migrants. Escaray’s story is not unique—many of the 150 employees working at his restaurants are reliant on TPS or humanitarian parole to stay in the U.S. and build their lives.
“I’ve seen so many Venezuelans work here doing jobs others won’t. To lose that workforce would be a huge loss,” said Escaray, deeply concerned about the implications of losing legal status for his employees.
The ripple effect of these policy changes is significant. If these workers lose their legal protections, they risk being forced back to Venezuela, where political instability, violence, and economic hardship make the country unsafe and nearly impossible to survive in.
What Are Temporary Protected Status and Humanitarian Parole?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program that provides protection from deportation to individuals from countries experiencing civil unrest, natural disasters, or other dangerous conditions. It allows beneficiaries to live and work in the U.S. without the constant fear of being sent back to an unsafe environment.
Humanitarian parole, on the other hand, grants temporary permission to enter the U.S. for urgent reasons. This program allowed thousands of Venezuelans to seek refuge in the U.S. amid the country’s ongoing crisis. However, as of April 24, 2021, the humanitarian parole program for Venezuelans will expire, leaving many individuals vulnerable to deportation or becoming undocumented.
For communities like Doral, the end of these protections could lead to job losses, family separations, and a strain on the local economy. Business owners, like Escaray, who rely on Venezuelan workers to run their operations, face the very real possibility of closures or downsizing if their employees are forced to leave.
The Growing Fear in Doral: Deportation and Uncertainty
Doral is a city of contrasts. On one hand, you have upper-middle-class Venezuelan professionals and entrepreneurs who invested in businesses and properties after fleeing the socialist regime of Hugo Chávez. On the other, many low-income Venezuelans work in construction, cleaning services, and other essential industries. Whether in high-rise offices or neighbourhood shops, they contribute significantly to Doral’s economy and culture.
John, who left Venezuela nine years ago and now runs a growing construction company, is one of many who fear deportation. John and his wife are TPS beneficiaries, which allows them to legally live and work in the U.S. But with Trump’s administration challenging TPS, their future is now uncertain.
“I’ve built my life here. I have a daughter who is a U.S. citizen. We just want to keep working and contributing,” John said. “We never came here to break the law; we came to build, to work.”
John’s story resonates with many others in Doral who see the U.S. as a land of opportunity. Yet, with the threat of deportation looming, they face the possibility of being forced to return to a country where the Venezuelan crisis continues to worsen.
The Legal Battle Over TPS and Humanitarian Parole
Fortunately, not all hope is lost. On March 31, 2021, a federal judge issued a ruling that temporarily blocked the end of TPS for Venezuelans, granting 350,000 Venezuelans a reprieve from deportation. This ruling has provided a temporary sense of relief for many, but the legal battle is far from over.
While the legal challenge is still ongoing, the humanitarian parole program is set to expire unless court intervention stops it. As the deadline nears, Doral’s residents are filled with anxiety. Many are hoping for a legal pathway to permanent status, but fear remains.
The Local Response to Immigration Changes
In the face of uncertainty, local officials, including Doral’s mayor, have spoken out. Mayor Christi Fraga, a daughter of Cuban exiles, penned a letter to President Trump urging him to find a way for Venezuelans who haven’t committed crimes to stay.
“These families do not want handouts. They want the opportunity to continue working, investing, and contributing to the U.S. economy,” Fraga said. Her sentiments echo those of the many Venezuelans who are working hard to make a living and build a future in the U.S.
Moreover, three Cuban-American representatives in Florida—Mario Díaz-Balart, Carlos Gimenez, and Maria Elvira Salazar—have called for a case-by-case review of TPS beneficiaries and have pushed to avoid deportations for Venezuelans with clean records.
What’s Next for Doral’s Venezuelan Community?
Doral is a community that thrives on the hard work and perseverance of its Venezuelan immigrants. From the Sabor Venezolano restaurants to the construction companies, small businesses are the lifeblood of this neighbourhood. But with the threat of deportation hanging over their heads, Doral’s residents face a crisis that goes beyond legal status.
As the legal challenges continue, Doral’s Venezuelans must find ways to navigate this uncertainty. For now, they continue to contribute to the community, hoping that their fight for a better future in the U.S. will succeed.
Relevant Links for Further Reading
Photo credit: Bangor Daily News
