Trump’s first friction with his party for deportations that affect Venezuelans, Cubans and Nicaraguans

On Friday, the United States Migration Service published new guidelines that allow to accelerate the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants who entered the country under the asylum program implemented during the administration of Joe Biden. These measures especially affect citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Haiti, who could now see their temporary residence revoked, even if they are legally working and have sponsors in the country. The new policy authorizes agents to prioritize the expulsion of those who have not requested asylum within the first year after their arrival. More than one million migrants who entered under the humanitarian ‘parole’ program of the Biden administration could face deportation. Of these, 531,000 exiles from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Haiti entered the country under this program.

A narrow Allied from Trump, the deputy María Elvira SalazarDe Florida, urged the Department of National Security to guarantee the protection of Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan and Haitian immigrants affected by the new immigration guidelines. Salazar requested by letter that these groups are allowed, especially those without criminal record and with pending cases, conclude their asylum requests in accordance with the law.

The deputy stressed the importance of maintaining the temporary protection program for these immigrants and stressed that many flee from socialist regimes. Salazar represents a district that houses a significant population of Americans of Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan and Haitian origin, who voted to Trump over an overwhelming way in the last elections.

Confrontation with Petro

On his return to the White House, the president has avoided direct criticisms of the dictatorships of Cuba and Venezuela, focusing his efforts on accelerating repatriations. Hundreds of undocumented have been deported on military flights to countries such as Guatemala. The United States also planned flights to Colombia, but President Gustavo Petro rejected the measure at the last moment, triggering a diplomatic confrontation: Washington decided to temporarily suspend the broadcast of visas in his consulate in Bogotá.

The unknown now is whether Trump seeks an agreement with Maduro’s dictatorship to deport undocumented Venezuelan immigrants with a history. RIC GRENELLone of his advisors and in charge of special missions, has confirmed that he has initiated contacts with the Chavista regime. So far, Trump has avoided ruling on his strategy towards Venezuela. Retrieved by ABC on Monday, the president just pointed out that, for now, his intention is to stop the purchases of Venezuelan crude.

The new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, known for being one of the greatest critics of the Maduro regime during his stage as a senator for Florida, has not defined a new policy towards Venezuela. Its first official trip will be focused on other nations in Latin America, such as Panama, where it is expected to negotiate a more favorable agreement for the United States in the use of the maritime channel.

The deputies of Florida are not the only ones to criticize Trump within their own party. On Friday, three Republican senators voted against the confirmation of Pete Hegesh, Trump’s candidate to lead the Pentagon. Hegseth.

The loss of these three Republican votes left a tie in the Senate, composed of 100 seats. To the rejection of the centrist senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins added the conservative Mitch McConnell, former leader of the Republican bench. With the result of 50 to 50, the vice president, JD Vance, had to cast the decisive vote, a power that gives him his position. This level of dissent within the party could significantly complicate Trump’s ability to advance with his legislative agenda.