Republicans have actively sought support from Venezuelan American voters in Florida, particularly in Doral, which has a significant Venezuelan community. These voters initially admired President Trump, but have recently felt betrayed after his administration announced the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 300,000 Venezuelan migrants. This status allows them to live and work in the U.S. while conditions in Venezuela remain dire. Local officials, including those in Miami-Dade, are campaigning for a reversal of this decision. Despite concerns, many Venezuelans still support Trump, grappling with conflicting emotions regarding his immigration policies.
In recent years, Republicans have made significant efforts to win the favor of Venezuelan American voters in Florida, believing that their party’s focus on law and order and critiques of socialism would resonate with this rapidly growing demographic. These efforts have proven successful in cities like Doral, located west of Miami, where approximately 40 percent of the population identifies as Venezuelan.
Many Venezuelan Americans have appreciated the attention and have become loyal supporters of the politicians who engage with them, particularly President Trump.
However, in recent weeks, their admiration has been mixed with feelings of surprise and disappointment following the Trump administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (T.P.S.) for over 300,000 Venezuelan migrants residing in the U.S., many of whom are in South Florida. The T.P.S. program allows individuals from certain unstable nations to live and work in the U.S. temporarily, but critics argue it has inadvertently enabled many migrants to remain indefinitely.
Currently, Venezuelan Americans in Doral and elsewhere are rallying to persuade the White House to reconsider this decision before the T.P.S. protections expire in April for these migrants. Their advocacy is testing the political influence they have with Mr. Trump and other Republicans who have previously regarded them as vital constituents.
Reflecting their constituents’ worries, elected representatives from at least three jurisdictions — Miami-Dade County, Miami, and Doral — have recently passed symbolic resolutions urging the Trump administration to reverse its decision or seek alternative solutions to allow law-abiding Venezuelans to remain in the country legally.
So far, only a few Venezuelans who supported Mr. Trump have turned away from him. Instead, they are navigating a delicate situation, endorsing his stance on illegal immigration while asserting that the majority of Venezuelans with T.P.S. should be considered separately. Despite Mr. Trump’s criticisms of programs like T.P.S. during his campaigns, many Venezuelan American voters had anticipated that any enforcement action would concentrate on unauthorized immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
The sense of urgency is palpable in Doral, a city with a population of about 75,000, often affectionately dubbed “Doralzuela.”
Previously an industrial area located near Miami International Airport, Doral has transformed over the past decade into a vibrant economic center. The establishment of office parks has spurred the growth of residential developments, schools, restaurants, and more.
Mr. Trump is familiar with Doral, as it is home to his Trump National Doral Golf Club, a point of pride for many Venezuelan Americans. However, several residents expressed feeling taken aback during interviews last week.
They were particularly shocked by the Trump administration’s implication that many Venezuelans with T.P.S. are affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang — a significant overstatement.
“I’m a loyal Trump Republican, but I feel betrayed,” stated Isabel Martín, a real estate agent and insurance broker who also hosts a Spanish-language radio show in Doral. “While some bad actors exist, the majority of us are hardworking individuals, not part of Tren de Aragua.”
At 58 years old, Ms. Martín, who immigrated 27 years ago, expressed continued support for Mr. Trump, though she wrestled with conflicted emotions. Last week, she was among those who attended the Doral City Council meeting, where members passed a resolution urging the federal government to secure a permanent immigration solution for Venezuelans.
Ms. Martín warned council members about the potential loss of employers and workers if Venezuelan migrants — many of whom own or work in small businesses — were to lose their protected status.
Councilman Rafael Pineyro, a Republican who proposed the resolution, aimed to oppose the termination of T.P.S. while avoiding confrontation with the White House.
“We’re not looking to create any conflict with President Trump,” stated Mr. Pineyro, a Venezuelan American who moved to Miami at age 15, during the meeting.
He expressed hope to “provide insight to the administration regarding the reality of the Venezuelan community.”
Notably, one council member is married to a Venezuelan; another migrated from the Dominican Republic. The mayor is Cuban American, and the vice mayor, Maureen Porras, is an immigration attorney who arrived in Miami from Nicaragua as a child.
In an interview, Ms. Porras shared that anxious Venezuelans have repeatedly approached her law practice with inquiries about their options. She fears that essential workers may leave their positions in Doral’s restaurants and hotels.
“My concern is that this will disrupt the economy and change our communities, especially if we start witnessing neighbors relocating,” she remarked. “The impact would be highly disruptive.”
During a public meeting last Thursday, Amaya Ariztoy, a Venezuelan American who has resided in South Florida for 25 years, recounted her nephew’s situation to the Miami City Commission. He entered the U.S. legally on a student visa and obtained a master’s degree from the University of Florida.
“He was working under T.P.S.,” she explained. “He was paying taxes. Now he may be compelled to return to a country facing dire challenges and ruled by a dictatorship.”
Venezuelan Americans were outraged when Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, defended the move to end T.P.S. by claiming that conditions in Venezuela had improved. They were also incensed when she suggested on “Fox and Friends” last month that allowing Venezuelans with T.P.S. to remain would enable them to “violate our laws for another 18 months,” implying that many were criminals.
Republican officials in Florida, recognizing the significant voice and increasing number of Venezuelan Americans among their constituents, have shown support. Senator Rick Scott stated that the Venezuelan government still represents a threat to the U.S. Meanwhile, Miami’s three Cuban American representatives in the state’s congressional delegation have sent letters to Ms. Noem urging her to assess Venezuelans’ status on an individual basis.
The influential Cuban exile community in Miami has particularly embraced the newly arrived Venezuelans, perceiving them as ideologically sympathetic due to their shared experiences fleeing leftist regimes. Cubans have historically benefited from special immigration measures like the Cuban Adjustment Act, allowing them to apply for permanent residency after one year in the U.S. No similar provisions exist for Venezuelan or other immigrant groups, although a Republican congresswoman from Miami has suggested such changes.
The end of T.P.S. affects only Venezuelans who received the protections in 2023. Just before Mr. Trump assumed office in January, the Biden administration extended their temporary legal status until October 2026, which Ms. Noem subsequently revoked.
Another group of over 250,000 Venezuelans received T.P.S. in 2021; their protections are set to expire in September, and the Trump administration has yet to announce any plans to terminate them sooner.
“Shame on every Republican official who is complicit, especially in Florida, in sending Venezuelans back to a nightmare,” stated Maria Corina Vegas, a Venezuelan American and Democratic state committeewoman, during a press conference outside Miami City Hall last week. “You are turning your back on a community that trusted you and escaped tyranny in search of freedom. This betrayal will be remembered.”
Even as Venezuelan Americans voiced their disappointment last week, Florida state lawmakers approved legislation tightening illegal immigration enforcement. When asked recently about his stance on ending T.P.S. for Venezuelans, Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, remarked that “the people who voted for me are U.S. citizens, not on T.P.S.”
He acknowledged that the situation in Venezuela remains serious but accused former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. of “misusing” T.P.S. and claimed that Mr. Trump was “correcting the law.”
“He will regain control over who is allowed in this country,” Mr. DeSantis added. “There’s no way we can allow unchecked entry.”
Gustavo Garagorry, president of the Venezuelan American Republican Club Miami-Dade, expressed his unwavering support for Mr. Trump. Those like him, who emigrated over 20 years ago, are not impacted by the withdrawal of T.P.S.
“President Trump represents Americans,” he stated, “not just Venezuelans.”
Alain Delaquérière contributed research.