Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 17 other attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief in the case of National TPS Alliance v. Noem. The brief supports a challenge against the early termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans by the Trump Administration. This humanitarian program allows individuals from designated countries to stay in the United States due to adverse conditions in their home nations.

The case is currently before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and challenges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's decision to end TPS for Venezuelan nationals. Many affected individuals have lived in the United States for years and have family members who are U.S. citizens.

Attorney General Bonta stated, "We are filing an amicus brief to help stop the unlawful early termination of the Venezuela TPS designation." He emphasized that Venezuelan TPS holders contribute significantly to California's economy, with households earning $2.1 billion and paying substantial federal and state taxes.

The potential termination of TPS could impact nearly 1.1 million individuals who are recipients or eligible under this status. It may force families into difficult decisions about returning to Venezuela or staying illegally in the United States. Over 130,000 U.S. citizens live in households with individuals at risk of losing their TPS status.

The coalition argues that terminating Venezuelan TPS will cause irreparable harm to families and negatively affect states' economies and workforces. It could also increase healthcare costs and pose risks to public safety.

Alongside Attorney General Bonta, New York's Attorney General co-led this effort, joined by Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.