Maria, a classroom assistant at a Northwest Side elementary school, has devoted herself to helping students with special needs, many of whom speak Spanish.
Since she started working with them last fall, Maria has witnessed their academic improvement firsthand and feels a sense of fulfillment being in the classroom.
However, her dedication to her students is overshadowed by the fact that she is no longer authorized to work in the United States, having lost her legal status earlier this year.
In May, the Supreme Court permitted President Donald Trump’s administration to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 350,000 Venezuelans, including Maria.
TPS has shielded eligible noncitizens like her from deportation, allowing them to work legally in the U.S.
With this change in her legal status, Maria expressed her despair: “When I woke up and heard the news, I felt like crying, and I kept asking myself, ‘What am I going to do?’”
The uncertainty is magnified by the potential threat of deportation as her job as a classroom assistant hangs in the balance.
“I am afraid because, at any time, human resources can call me to let me know that I don’t have a job anymore,” she shares.
The impending termination of TPS is not only affecting Venezuelans but is also expected to impact Haitians and other groups later this year.
This decision is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to dismantle immigration policies put in place by previous administrations.
Such moves have included attempts to end birthright citizenship, ramping up deportations, and instituting travel bans.
These actions have resulted in protests across major cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles, where thousands of National Guard troops were deployed, sparking local outrage.
Programs like TPS were originally designed to provide safety and stability for immigrants coming from countries grappling with violence and instability.
For Daniel Jean Jr., president of the Haitian American Professional Network of Chicago, the situation is dire and weighs heavily on families.
“It’s like a lose-lose situation,” he states, highlighting the difficult choices faced by immigrants.
“Going back home means potential famine and insecurity, while staying here leaves us in a position of uncertainty about our futures.”
Advocates for immigrants share these concerns, fearing that the termination of TPS could push individuals into underground economies as they struggle to make ends meet without legal work status.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, there were an estimated 13.7 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2023.
Maria’s journey to the U.S. started under humanitarian parole, requiring her to undergo a background check and find a sponsor.
She later applied for TPS, demonstrating her intent to follow the rules and abide by legal procedures.
Back in Venezuela, she faced violence and crime, including threats stemming from her refusal to teach the government-mandated socialist curriculum.
Given her circumstances, she refrained from applying for asylum, which typically allows for legal work during court proceedings, as she feared for her safety if she returned to Venezuela.
Now, amidst the escalating apprehension regarding her legal status, Maria prefers to avoid public places, fearing that immigration authorities may arrest her.
As the current administration intensifies enforcement actions against immigrants, Maria feels the tug of anxiety and the pain of potentially losing her position as a classroom assistant.
“I go beyond being an assistant,” she insists.
“My essence and my profession is to be a teacher.”
Her colleagues at school have recognized her invaluable contributions, particularly in a dual-language setting where many students rely on her support.
“It is definitely devastating to see people like Maria experiencing this type of situation,” notes Marisela, a literacy teacher who works closely with her.
With mounting pressures and worries looming over her future, Maria is currently seeking legal advice regarding alternative visa options, although navigating the immigration system can be daunting and challenging.
For her, the prospect of returning to Venezuela remains fraught with danger and uncertainty.
“I am a professional,” she states firmly.
“I want to contribute. Having to be treated like a criminal is not fair.”
As she contemplates her fate, many like her are left facing the reality of a changing immigration landscape that has left them feeling vulnerable and apprehensive.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/06/12/tps-losing-legal-status-chicago-immigrants-limbo
