Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans officially ended this month, removing legal protection for thousands of families who built their lives in the United States.

The federal program, known as TPS, allowed Venezuelans to stay and work legally while their country faced political unrest and economic collapse. That protection is now gone.

Families in panic

Immigration attorney Javier Gonzalez says the change has left many in Houston afraid and confused about what comes next.

“Panic, panic. A lot of Venezuelans are coming looking for relief. A lot of them don’t have options at this point, and it’s heartbreaking because they’re just people trying to live and not have to return to a country they fled,” Gonzalez said.

Houston mother fears deportation as TPS protections end for Nicaragua

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