Venezuelan immigrant fears deportation after Trump's reelection

In Fort Worth, Texas, Venezuelan immigrant Maria Fernanda Martinez faces uncertainty regarding her future in the United States following the reelection of Donald Trump. Martinez arrived legally last year under a humanitarian parole program initiated by the Biden administration aimed at assisting individuals from countries like Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. Despite having legal status, her permit will expire in February, leaving her anxious about the implications of Trump’s mass deportation agenda on her ability to remain in the country. This anxiety is compounded by her journey of trying to reunite with her husband, an American resident, whom she married in Venezuela in 2018. Martinez fears that she could be subject to deportation if she does not obtain Temporary Protected Status, which would legally permit her continued residence in the U.S. She expresses her greatest concern about potentially returning to the dire conditions in Venezuela, which is struggling under an authoritarian regime. To cope with the situation, Martinez is actively learning English in hopes of securing a better future. Her aspirations include living with her husband, father, and ideally welcoming a new child within the next year, reflecting her desire for stability and an ability to grow her family in a safe environment.