(DailyAnswer.org) – A recent report highlights a surprising shift in the views of Venezuelan immigrants in the United States regarding former President Donald Trump’s return to office. Many Venezuelans believe that Trump, if re-elected, would address the crisis in their home country in a way the Biden-Harris administration has failed to do. With hopes pinned on Trump’s tough stance, they think he may help end the rule of Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro, and bring more stability to Venezuela. This could lessen the need for so many Venezuelans to seek refuge in the United States.
Pedro Ron, a 28-year-old Venezuelan delivery worker currently in Bogotá, Colombia, told The New York Times that his neighborhood celebrated when they heard about Trump’s recent election win. “Everybody was like, ‘I hope Trump lends a hand to help,’” Ron said, reflecting a common sentiment among Venezuelans who hope for meaningful change under a new U.S. administration.
Some who had considered making the dangerous journey to the U.S. border are now rethinking it. Many believe Trump’s stance on immigration will be stricter than Biden’s, reducing the chances of Venezuelans being allowed in without proper documentation. Daniel Garcia, another Venezuelan delivery worker, even canceled his plan to cross the U.S. border, saying it wasn’t worth the risk with Trump back in office.
According to the report, many Venezuelan migrants had initially hoped Biden’s policies would allow them easier entry. They believed the Biden administration had created favorable border policies specifically for them. Trump has argued that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have weakened U.S. influence in Latin America by being too lenient, especially on illegal immigration.
During his campaign, Trump claimed that Venezuela has been sending criminals to the U.S. instead of keeping them accountable. He said that in the past, his administration forced Venezuela to take back dangerous deportees, like members of the violent gang MS-13, by threatening to cut U.S. financial support.
With Trump’s election, some Venezuelans are rushing to enter the U.S. before he takes office and tightens border security. Three migrant caravans from southern Mexico, the largest with 1,600 people, are reportedly heading north, aiming to enter the U.S. before Trump’s policies go into effect. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is working quickly to process thousands of Temporary Protected Status applications, which could shield some migrants from deportation for two years.
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