HOUSTON – The strike in Venezuela and the removal of Nicolás Maduro have created a new wave of uncertainty for Venezuelans here in Houston.
Over the weekend, many woke up scrolling through TikTok, WhatsApp, and Facebook, searching for answers about asylum, temporary protected status (TPS) and deportation risk.
“These individuals are not criminals. They’re just in the United States pursuing status,” said immigration attorney Renata Castro of USA 4 All. “The uncertainty over how this will translate into immigration policy is making people very, very nervous.”
‘Is my asylum case done?’
Castro said her Venezuelan clients started calling and messaging almost immediately after the news broke.
Their fear is driving them to grab onto whatever information they see online, even when it’s wrong or incomplete.
For many, the questions are the same:
- Will this hurt my asylum case?
- Will TPS for Venezuelans be renewed or canceled?
- Am I now at greater risk of detention or deportation?
- Should I go back to Venezuela or stay and fight my case?
Castro warns that the answers are complicated — and they’re changing quickly with U.S. policy.
She notes that many Venezuelans have claimed asylum based on political persecution by Maduro’s government. With Maduro now removed, she expects “a lot of conflict and a lot of chaos” in how asylum cases are decided, both for new arrivals and for people who already have pending cases in the United States.
At the same time, challenges to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans mean the stakes are even higher.
Castro says the future of TPS will likely be a key signal:
“If Trump reenacts TPS or re-extends TPS for Venezuelans, this will be a very strong sign that he and his cabinet see the situation in Venezuela as not being resolved… but if the Trump administration says, ‘you know what, we are not re-extending TPS,’ then what I anticipate is a surge in deportations of Venezuelans back to their home country.”
Why social media advice is so dangerous right now
With so much uncertainty, many Venezuelans are turning first to friends, influencers, and group chats for guidance. Castro says that’s a serious risk.
Instead of trusting influencers or group chats, Venezuelans need to seek real legal help from qualified sources, she says.
One missed ICE check‑in or court date can lead to a denied application — or even a deportation order.
Attorneys emphasize:
- Don’t assume your asylum case is automatically over.
- Don’t skip court dates or ICE check‑ins, even if you’re scared.
- Don’t file new applications, travel, or move without getting professional legal advice.
- Don’t rely on screenshots, rumors, or viral videos as your main source of information.
If you have TPS: what you should do now
If you’re a Venezuelan in the Houston area with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), attorneys say to follow these key steps.
Key steps:
- Stay on top of renewal deadlines. Missing a TPS renewal can put you at immediate risk of losing protection and work authorization.
- Carry documents with you. Keep your passport and foreign ID on hand, along with any work permits and evidence of what happened to you in Venezuela: threats, police reports, news articles. Plus, proof of life in Houston: a lease, pay stubs, school records.
- Check only official sources for TPS updates:
- The federal government’s official immigration site: USCIS.gov
- Notices from your own immigration attorney
- Be skeptical of “news” that only appears on social media but can’t be verified on USCIS.gov or through a reputable legal source.
Where to get low-cost legal help in Houston
If you’re Venezuelan and living in the Houston area, there are trusted resources that can help you understand your options — often at low cost or for free.
Some of the organizations include:
- FIEL Houston - A non‑profit immigrant rights organization that works with Houston’s immigrant communities, including Venezuelans. They can provide information, referrals, and in some cases direct immigration help or clinics.
- Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative HOTLINE: 1‑833‑468‑4664 (HOU‑IMMI) - This collaborative connects people to trusted immigration legal service providers in the region. If you’re not sure where to start, calling this hotline can help you find reputable legal help instead of guessing online.
- Galveston‑Houston Immigration Representation Project (GHIRP) - GHIRP provides legal representation and assistance to immigrants in the Galveston–Houston region, including people in detention and vulnerable immigrants who might not otherwise be able to afford a lawyer.
In addition, attorneys recommend:
- Accredited non‑profit immigration organizations - Look for organizations recognized by the Department of Justice that are allowed to provide immigration legal services.
- State or local bar association referral services - The bar association can connect you with licensed immigration attorneys in good standing.
- Legal clinics at law schools - Some law schools in Texas operate immigration clinics where supervised law students help with cases at low or no cost.
The only official government source: USCIS.gov
For official immigration policy and forms — especially TPS and asylum information — the primary government source is:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Website: USCIS.gov
If something you’re hearing on social media doesn’t match what you see on USCIS.gov, or what you’re being told by a trusted immigration attorney, treat it as a red flag.
The bottom line for Venezuelans in Houston
- The situation in Venezuela — and in U.S. immigration policy — is moving fast.
- Social media is not a safe place to get legal advice. One bad TikTok or WhatsApp message can cost you your case.
- Get information from:
- Accredited non‑profits like FIEL
- Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (1‑833‑468‑4664 / HOU‑IMMI)
- Galveston‑Houston Immigration Representation Project
- USCIS.gov and a trusted immigration attorney
As Castro and other attorneys stress, this is a moment to stay informed, stay calm, and get real legal help.