Disney puts Venezuelan workers on leave after TPS protections end

In the United States, The Walt Disney Company has placed almost four dozen Venezuelan workers on leave following a significant Supreme Court ruling on May 19, 2025. This ruling endorsed the Trump administration's efforts to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many Venezuelans currently residing in the U.S. This decision has left these individuals without their legal protections, which allowed them to work and remain legally in the country amidst a crisis in their home nation. As a direct result, Disney announced in an email to its employees at their Florida resort that those who were at risk due to losing their TPS status would be placed on unpaid leave for a period of 30 days unless they could provide updated work authorization documents. The deadline for this documentation is approaching, instilling fear and uncertainty among the workers affected. Disney has indicated that they are putting these employees on leave with benefits to help them avoid potential legal violations as they navigate this complicated situation. This legal precedent stems from ongoing legislative and judicial battles over immigration policy in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security's recent actions have prompted legal challenges from TPS holders and advocacy groups. Under the TPS program, individuals from countries experiencing crises are granted temporary refuge in the U.S. The recent ruling not only affects Venezuelans but could potentially impact several other groups of immigrants vulnerable to deportation as well. Representatives from Disney stated their commitment to supporting employees who might be affected by the changing immigration landscape. The union representing Disney workers noted that about two-thirds of the employees who were placed on leave were union members. They also added that the union contract allows for these workers to be reinstated without losing seniority or benefits, provided they return with the required work documentation within a year. The union also expressed its concerns and empathy for the affected employees, highlighting the dual pressures they face from both corporate policy and impending immigration enforcement actions.