The Trump administration has enacted aggressive immigration measures, resulting in over 4,100 Venezuelans deported to their home country since January 20, with 238 more sent to detention centers in El Salvador and additional groups detained at Guantánamo Bay. Official data and human rights groups report that 98% of Venezuelan deportees lack criminal records, despite government claims that deportations target criminals.
A Supreme Court order has allowed the administration to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, leaving many in legal limbo and at risk of deportation. TPS for a total of 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians has been ended. The end of TPS has caused uncertainty for families, who fear separation and return to Venezuela, where poverty has reached 86%, the minimum wage is $1 per month, and inflation is estimated at 180%.
The administration has promoted voluntary self-deportation, offering $1,000 and flights home through programs such as Project Homecoming. Over 10,000 Venezuelans have left via Panama since January, with 4,494 crossings at Acandi recorded in February. Migrants often pay $300 for boat passage, identified by pink wristbands, and face dangerous journeys; at least one trip resulted in the drowning of an 8-year-old child in February. Buses from Texas to Mexico and flights to Honduras and Colombia have also been used for removals.
The CBP Home app has been launched to facilitate self-deportation registration, and ICE has contracted Palantir for $30 million to track departures. Many deportees are stigmatized as gang members, particularly of the Tren de Aragua, though NGOs confirm only 2% have criminal backgrounds. In El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele charges $20,000 per detainee held in high-security prisons.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have criticized these policies as violating due process and basic rights. Migrant advocates and members of Congress have called for legislative action to restore protections for affected communities.
Other migrant groups, such as Guatemalans in New England's fishing industry, have reported increased raids and detentions, sometimes without legal justification. The situation has led to families choosing to leave the U.S. voluntarily to avoid detention or separation.
