People in the southeastern U.S. state of Florida, the heart of the Venezuelan community in the United States, have voiced their opposition to the current Trump administration reversing the Biden administration's decision to extend the Temporary Protected Status program.
In a significant policy shift that's sending shockwaves through Florida's Venezuelan community, the current Trump administration's move overturns an 18-month extension of the Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, that was previously granted by former President Joe Biden as deportation protections for more than 600,000 Venezuelans living in the United States.
Under the move, some Venezuelan migrants with the TPS could end up losing the ability to live and work in the U.S. lawfully as early as this spring.
In Miami's Doral neighborhood, the news has hit hard. Some are afraid, others are hoping it's just a review.
"It's very serious, because there are many people, many Venezuelans, who are working all over the United States. Contrary to what people say, they are not all criminals. The truth is that, I believe it's a very small percentage. It's quite concerning for all the people in the situation, because it's so many cancellations, people with TPS, parole, and asylum," said Jose Maria Ramirez, a Venezuelan living in Florida.
"I was expecting this, I really was, but not for everybody. Like for delinquents and for another kind of people, not for families who are here, who came with very small kids," said Ana Paez, another Venezuelan living in the state.
"I believe they will review it. We have people in Congress, Maria Elvira Salazar and Diaz Valade, who recommends to the president that not everyone should pay for the sins of a few. The spirit of the law, obviously, is to expel those who commit crimes, the delinquents, the criminals who have invaded this country, but not those who come seeking the American dream," said another Venezuelan national Roberto Villani.
The move aligns with President Donald Trump's broader immigration stance. During his first term, he attempted to end the TPS for several other countries, including Haiti and El Salvador.
Legal challenges to this latest move are expected, with community leaders already organizing legal workshops and information sessions.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has until Saturday to decide whether to end the 18-month extension of the TPS for Venezuelans.
Venezuelans in Florida oppose roll-back of deportation protections
Venezuelans in Florida oppose roll-back of deportation protections
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
