Venezuelan Migrant’s Journey: From Political Fears to Finding solace in New York
Table of Contents
- 1. Venezuelan Migrant’s Journey: From Political Fears to Finding solace in New York
- 2. Escaping Political Instability
- 3. The challenges of Adaptation
- 4. Finding Strength in Adversity
- 5. Navigating the Asylum Process
- 6. the Relief of TPS
- 7. Understanding TPS
- 8. Venezuelan Immigrant in the U.S. Fears Deportation amidst Evolving TPS Policies
- 9. The Rollercoaster of TPS and Venezuelan Immigrants
- 10. “We Feel This Country as Our Home”
- 11. Trump and Venezuelan Immigrants
- 12. “I have Fear and Discomfort”
- 13. Navigating the Shifting Sands of Immigration and Trade in 2025
- 14. Venezuelan Migrants Face Complex Realities
- 15. Trade Tensions Escalate
- 16. US-China Relations on Edge
- 17. US Immigration Policy Shifts
- 18. Supporting Independant Journalism in 2025
- 19. The Importance of Independent Journalism
- 20. Call to Action
- 21. What are the specific challenges Alejandra and her family faced upon arriving in New York City?
- 22. Alejandra’s Journey: from Venezuelan Crisis to New York Solace – An Archyde Interview
- 23. Escaping Venezuela: The Breaking point
- 24. adapting to Life in New York
- 25. Navigating the U.S. Asylum Process
- 26. The Relief of Temporary protected Status (TPS)
- 27. Current Anxieties: Shifting TPS Policies
- 28. A Message to Other Migrants
- 29. A Final Thought
For Alejandra, the decision to leave Venezuela was born out of increasing political turmoil and a growing sense of unease. The rise in political prisoners, escalating from just 11 in 2013 to 109, painted a grim picture of the nation’s stability.
Escaping Political Instability
Alejandra recalls, “In esa época había bastantes detenciones, no solo de ese partido político al cual yo pertenecía, sino de otros. Comenzamos a tener mucho temor y salimos de urgencia de Venezuela.” This fear propelled her family to seek refuge in the United States, making New york City their new home.
The challenges of Adaptation
The transition was far from seamless. Adjusting to life in a cramped room and facing unfamiliar challenges marked their early days. Alejandra notes, “Medianamente en Venezuela teníamos una vida cómoda. Teníamos una casa, nuestra profesión y trabajamos en lo que habíamos estudiado. Fue un gran cambio. yo nunca pensé vivir fuera de Venezuela. Siempre cuando salía era para viajar, para pasear.Siempre quise vivir en mi país.”
Even her children faced hurdles. Her daughter, for instance, concealed her English-speaking abilities, fearing it would hinder their return to Venezuela. “Mi hijo era un niño que no estaba acostumbrado a trabajar y al llegar tuvo que hacerlo. A mi hija, que tenía 4 años, también le costó bastante adaptarse. Incluso nos ocultó por casi un año que sabía hablar inglés. Ella nos decía que para qué iba a aprender a hablar otro idioma si iba a volver a Venezuela y allá no se habla inglés. Nos engañó. Imagino que en su cabecita pensaba que ese podría ser un motivo para volver,” Alejandra recounts.
Finding Strength in Adversity
Despite the initial struggles, Alejandra and her family persevered. They took on various jobs, from cleaning houses to washing dishes, to make ends meet. New York’s welcoming surroundings helped ease their integration.”Desde que llegamos, siempre hemos vivido en Nueva York. Realmente la amo. Es una ciudad con muchos pensamientos amplios. Son personas que ya están acostumbradas al inmigrante. Aquí hay muchas culturas diferentes e impresionantes. Entonces Nueva York,es una ciudad superamable con los inmigrantes,” she explains.
In 2017, Alejandra initiated the asylum process, only to be defrauded by a lawyer. This setback motivated her to learn about immigration law,eventually enabling her to handle her family’s asylum case independently. She now works as a document preparer, leveraging her hard-earned expertise.
the Relief of TPS
The asylum process, fraught with uncertainty, has been a source of anxiety for Alejandra’s family. The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) offered a much-needed respite. “Mi familia y yo obtuvimos el TPS en 2021. Eso me dio demasiado alivio,” she says, expressing gratitude for the security it provided.
The TPS allowed her to avoid a deportation order and secured her work permit. “Cuando llegó el TPS yo pedí tanto un permiso de trabajo por proceso de asilo como por el TPS,” Alejandra adds.
Understanding TPS
Established in 1990, TPS protects individuals from countries facing armed conflicts, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. It allows beneficiaries to live and work in the U.S. temporarily, typically for 18-month periods, subject to renewal.
According to U.S. immigration law, countries with ongoing armed conflicts, natural disasters, limitations in receiving their nationals, or extraordinary temporary conditions that prevent safe return justify the implementation of TPS.
“El tema del asilo es bastante limitado porque por cualquier cosa no se puede pedirlo. Por ejemplo, en the words were cut off at this point.
Venezuelan Immigrant in the U.S. Fears Deportation amidst Evolving TPS Policies
A Venezuelan immigrant in the United States, identified as Alejandra, is living with renewed anxiety as changes in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) policies and political rhetoric raise fears within the Venezuelan community.
The Rollercoaster of TPS and Venezuelan Immigrants
alejandra’s initial relief upon receiving TPS was short-lived. She now faces uncertainty due to shifting policies.The Trump management’s decision to reverse the TPS extension, set to expire on April 7, 2025, for Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. before July 31, 2023, has impacted over 350,000 people.
Even though Alejandra wasn’t part of that group, she aligns herself with the over 300,000 Venezuelans who received the migratory benefit in 2021, which is scheduled to expire in September. She says, she is praying that they “are capable of continuing with this TPS.”
“We Feel This Country as Our Home”
For Alejandra and her family,the U.S. is more then just a temporary refuge; it is indeed home. “Obviously, this brings quite a bit of stress because the reality is that our lives unfold here in the united States,” Alejandra explains.”my children are already used to it. My son arrived at 16, and all his friends are from here, his wife is American. My daughter only has friends here in the United States. We feel this country as our home.”
Despite her emotional strength, Alejandra can’t shake off the fear that she thought she had left behind when she left Venezuela. The possibility of moving to another country looms, even though she cannot return to Venezuela while Nicolás Maduro’s regime remains in power.
If the Trump administration decides to eliminate the TPS extension granted in 2021, Alejandra would still have the option of asylum, which gives her some hope. “I am afraid, not only of deportation, which in my case I don’t think will happen, but I am in the same boat, in the sense that if I say I am Venezuelan how are they going to look at me, my husband, my children,” she explains.”This government used our nationality quite a bit to interfere with migrants. Anyone who looks Latino can be the object of xenophobia or some type of human rights violation.”
Trump and Venezuelan Immigrants
Alejandra questions the use of Venezuelans and those related to the Tren de Aragua criminal gang as a xenophobic and racist tool to gain political advantage.
🇺🇸🇻🇪 | ÚLTIMA HORA
Donald Trump promete deportar a los miembros del Tren de Aragua tras la noticia de la violenta toma de unos apartamentos en Colorado. “Vamos a sacarlos de aquí, y esto es solo el principio”, afirmó el expresidente y candidato republicano. pic.twitter.com/zWotlUFW1B
— UHN PLUS (@UHN_Plus) August 31, 2024
Alejandra recalls her time working in restaurants, where most of her Venezuelan colleagues were educated and held degrees in medicine, engineering, and other fields. In 2023, approximately 770,000 Venezuelans resided in the United States, making up less than 2% of the 47.8 million immigrants in the country.
Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. are primarily concentrated in Florida. Most arrived since 2010 and tend to have higher education levels than other immigrant groups. “I can attest that they are hardworking people, who fight, who arrived in the United States, either fleeing the dictatorship or fleeing the institutional system of Venezuela,” Alejandra says. “I can attest that among those I have known there is no criminal. The reality is that here there are many Venezuelans who are good, who are putting in effort, working honestly.”
«Donald Trump» es tendencia porque anunció que a partir de mañana se dedicará a expulsar al Tren de Aragua de Estados Unidos
pic.twitter.com/QeSqFygmSP— ¿Por qué es tendencia? (@estendenciavzl) January 19, 2025
“I have Fear and Discomfort”
Alejandra’s 13-year-old daughter is a dedicated student and athlete, while her son graduated with honors as a pharmacy technician and is pursuing a degree in nursing. “I have fear and discomfort because of how they are treating us,how unfair this administration,this president,is being with Venezuelans. It is indeed quite sad and delicate what we are experiencing as Venezuelans were very loved and appreciated here in the United States.”
Despite her distrust of President Trump due to his populist tendencies, Alejandra maintains faith in American institutions and hopes this situation will pass.”I just hope that this is a bad moment, a bad memory, and that the majority of good Venezuelans and those of us who want to stay in this country can do so legally.”
She maintains that immigration is a human right, driven by circumstances that force individuals to leave their homes. “Considering the immigrant as a criminal does not seem fair to me,” Alejandra asserts. “I hope that the institutions of the United States defend that right to emigrate,and those of us who have done things well here continue to belong to this great country because I feel the United States is my home and that of my family. This feeling is not only mine, it is that of all Venezuelans and other migrants who are here.Yes, take away the bad ones, but I no that they are not only taking away the bad ones. Most likely the bad ones are still in the prisons of this country and they are not going to send them there,” Alejandra concludes.
*The name of the interviewee for this story was changed to protect her identity*
The landscape of immigration and international trade continues to evolve,
presenting both challenges and opportunities.New developments are reshaping
the lives of migrants, influencing trade policies, and altering the
geopolitical balance.Here’s a look at some of the key stories unfolding in
early March 2025.
Venezuelan Migrants Face Complex Realities
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Venezuelans has become a
subject of intense debate. One outlook suggests the program’s
termination stemmed from internal issues within the Venezuelan community,
with one source stating, “«El TPS lo eliminaron porque hay venezolanos que
se aprovechan de venezolanos»,” highlighting claims of exploitation within
the system.
Meanwhile, the journey back to Venezuela is fraught with peril for many.
Migrants are turning to risky maritime routes from Panama to Colombia, a
decision driven by desperation.As one observer noted, “«Es mucho peor que
cruzar el Darién», ” indicating the extreme risks involved in these unofficial
and often illegal crossings.The dangers include human trafficking,
shipwrecks, and encounters with criminal elements.
Trade Tensions Escalate
The global trade environment is becoming increasingly tense. Amid rising
protectionist sentiment, warnings are being issued about potential trade
wars. “EE UU: Todo el mundo debe prepararse para los aranceles,” signals a
new era of tariffs and trade barriers, perhaps impacting businesses and
consumers worldwide. Countries are bracing for significant economic
adjustments as they navigate these shifting trade policies.
US-China Relations on Edge
Geopolitical tensions remain high between the United States and China. Both
nations are asserting their readiness for a potential military conflict,
raising concerns about global stability. “Tensión entre EE UU y China: ambos
países aseguran estar listos para una posible guerra,” encapsulates the
gravity of the situation. Diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate
the situation, but the risk of miscalculation remains substantial.
US Immigration Policy Shifts
A significant policy change is underway regarding immigration enforcement in
the United States. President Trump has reportedly suspended deportations
conducted via military aircraft and explained that it was due to the high
cost of operation. “Trump suspende las deportaciones con aviones militares
por su alto costo,” It remains unclear how deportations will be handled and
what the implications will be.
Keep checking back for updates on these developing stories as events unfold.
Supporting Independant Journalism in 2025
On March 5, 2025, a call was made for readers to support independent
journalism.The need for reader support is crucial to ensure that
uncomfortable news, the kind that some parties might prefer to remain
unreported, remains accessible to the public.
The Importance of Independent Journalism
Independent journalism plays a vital role in a democratic society. It
provides a platform for diverse perspectives and holds power accountable.
However, maintaining independence requires resources, and reader support is
essential for journalists to operate without censorship or undue influence.
The statement emphasizes the importance of working hard to ensure journalism
remains free from censorship,highlighting the critical role of funding in
protecting journalistic integrity.
Call to Action
Consider contributing to independent journalism outlets to help ensure the
continued availability of unbiased news and critical reporting.Your support
helps maintain a free press that serves the public interest.
What are the specific challenges Alejandra and her family faced upon arriving in New York City?
Alejandra’s Journey: from Venezuelan Crisis to New York Solace – An Archyde Interview
By Miguel Ramirez, Archyde News Editor
Today, we speak with Alejandra Guzman, a venezuelan migrant who sought asylum in the United States, finding a new life in New York City. Alejandra shares her experiences escaping political turmoil in Venezuela, the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and her journey through the U.S. immigration system.
Escaping Venezuela: The Breaking point
Archyde: Alejandra, thank you for sharing your story. Could you describe the specific events or conditions in Venezuela that led you to leave?
Alejandra: Thank you for having me.The situation became unbearable. The increasing number of political prisoners and the general sense of instability made us fear for our safety. As someone involved in a political party, I saw firsthand how detentions were escalating, not just within my party but across different groups. it created an atmosphere of constant dread, forcing us to make the challenging decision to leave venezuela urgently. we needed to find safety for our family. That is why we ended up starting our new life in New York City.
adapting to Life in New York
Archyde: New York can be a tough city, even for those born here. What were the biggest challenges your family faced when you first arrived?
Alejandra: It was a massive adjustment. Back in Venezuela,we had a comfortable life – a stable home,professional careers,and work related to our education.Suddenly, we were living in a cramped space, facing unfamiliar challenges. My children also struggled. My daughter even hid her English skills, thinking it’d somehow help us return to Venezuela sooner. My son who was not used to job had to start working right away. It was hard for everyone. I never imagined living outside of Venezuela permanently.
Archyde: You navigated the complex U.S. asylum process, even after a setback with a lawyer. Can you tell us more about that experience and how you became a document preparer?
Alejandra: The asylum process was incredibly stressful and uncertain. After being defrauded by a lawyer, I felt entirely lost but also more persistent to learn about immigration law myself. I realized I had to take control of our future. So, I dedicated myself to studying the regulations and the requirements of filling out the forms and that has worked out well for us. This experience motivated me to help others facing similar situations, leading me to become a document preparer.
The Relief of Temporary protected Status (TPS)
Archyde: Receiving Temporary Protected Status (TPS) must have been a notable turning point. How did that affect your family?
Alejandra: It gave us tremendous relief.there was security in sight. As of the TPS, I could avoid deportation and get a work permit. The uncertainty lessened, and we could focus on building our lives without the fear of being sent back to a dangerous situation on top of everything.
Current Anxieties: Shifting TPS Policies
Archyde: Given the changing political climate and immigration policies, are you experiencing any renewed anxieties about your status and future in the U.S.?
Alejandra: Absolutely. The current rhetoric and potential policy shifts are concerning. We’ve built a life here, my children are integrated, and this is our home now. I still think about the future and whether we will be able to continue living permanently in the place we now call home. The uncertainty is difficult, but we remain hopeful and continue to contribute to this country. I am concerned.
A Message to Other Migrants
Archyde: What advice would you give to other Venezuelan migrants or those seeking asylum in the U.S. today?
Alejandra: Persevere.The journey is challenging, but don’t give up on your dreams.Seek reliable legal guidance, build a strong support network, and remember that you are not alone. There are resources and communities that can help you navigate the system.What advice can I give when every case is different?
A Final Thought
Archyde: reflecting on your journey, What is a the one thing that keeps you going despite all the challenges?
Alejandra: Hope does. I believe that anything can happen if you work towards it. I have big dreams and I know that it will take a lot of hard work but eventually I’ll achieve all them all.
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