Wilmer Escaray, a business owner in Doral, Florida, is feeling the pressure and surprise as he ponders the future of his employees and customers. With 18 businesses under his belt, including “Sabor Venezolano,” Escaray employs many Venezuelan immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). These individuals are now facing the looming threat of deportation, leaving Escaray in a state of uncertainty about what steps to take next.
The Supreme Court recently made a decision that could potentially strip legal protections from hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants, including those under TPS. This ruling has left Escaray, who owns 15 restaurants and three markets in the Miami area, where Doral is often referred to as “Little Venezuela” or “Doralzuela,” in a state of worry. The majority of his 150 employees and a significant portion of his customer base are Venezuelan immigrants under TPS, making the impact of this decision particularly significant for his business.
Not really sure why this matters, but the Department of Homeland Security has yet to provide concrete details on when TPS will be ending for Venezuelans and what actions should be taken by employers and beneficiaries. Even Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary, was quite vague in her response to questions about the expiration date of TPS and the validity of work permits post-court ruling. This lack of clarity has left Escaray and many other business owners in the dark about the future of their Venezuelan employees and how they can support them moving forward.
