a few weeks, tens of thousands of Venezuelans and Illinois could be put at risk for deportation.

That's because of the Trump's administration's move to cut short.

The 2023 temporary protected status for Venezuela in sunset to end on April 7th.

However, the change does not affect the 2021 protected designation which expires in September without these protections, many Venice ones become undocumented and could lose financial assistance, work permits and other benefits.

Joining us with more on the local impact our day seafood as executive director of Central Middle Monday S cut that he gave in a swollen with protected status and co-owner of the restaurant.

The guided and Hannah Blackwell and Immigration attorney.

Thank you all for joining us this important topic.

Does it want to start with you?

As we know sentimental has been assisting minutes?

Well, as unsettling in Chicago for years.

How could the end of protected status affect their stability?

>> Really, it has been very difficult for us because that the roommate in the film line attending an assist and all us women have a right that your cargo and in in one of the things that I can tell you most of them had come back will some to remand looking for help where the Weichel now, because they not only make not only losing the permit to stay legally and work the seeing the benefits, every student then put assist system house in the system in some of the men became a car in the last minute things us little metal has been how exactly so legal clinic in been also making sure they doing the right things.

The don't in do in the United Now biggest field.

They're in that that is overall the exactly because now the places they used to work, they're asking them being department so losing job, then losing that housing.

So central middle right now is trying to make sure that they know that right what to do if get from comes what did you write?

Because even the UN that comment that you still have rights in this country.

But it seems like it's going to be a challenge any a challenge.

And Hannah, I want to bring you in briefly remind us what the temporary protected status is and what it allows have slowly, temporary protected status is for.

>> It's designated to particular countries around the world.

Venezuela, for instance, right now.

But it's for any country that the Department of Homeland Security deems eyes and having consequences or circumstances going on in their country that make it unsafe to send those people back to.

So, for instance, right now, whether it's a disaster going on, whether it's political corruption, something like that.

Who would say taking this away from them, put them at risk catastrophic.

Absolutely catastrophic.

Yeah.

Real want to talk a bit about your story.

You came to the U.S. in 2014 from Venezuela and and have the 2021 protect the status until September.

You also have built a business in Chicago with your family.

How would you say that this will affect you?

Well, right now, our family, it's filling.

>> And society this emotions that we have most fun because we don't know what's going to served family and a businesswoman.

We have employees.

We have claims we have everyone that does TPS to be here into wake to have, you know, to have a future because that's the reason why we came here to have better opportunities to have a place that we can feel safe but also grow.

Would you say that's the message when people don't understand why Vince Williams come here, correct?

Yes, we have year to be on our country because country.

Thank you.

Bows why we what we need as human beings.

And that's where we came here.

Looking for cash and money.

I would you say that you have concerns over your employees because some of them has the 2023 TPS designation to 18.

It's so hard because they have family.

They have babies.

They have, you know, we need to support them.

But also she mission, we need you know, requirements that will be gated to ask what is so it's so hard right now is Ishan right now is that many tough position?

I want to mention the Department of Homeland Security said about this change and they said we are returning integrity to the temporary protective status system which has been abused and exploited by.

>> Illegal aliens for decades.

President Trump and Secretary Nomar returning TPS to its original status.

Temporary Le Daisy.

What are your thoughts on this?

Believe some people have the Venezuelan migrants are exploiting the system.

I don't think so.

>> You know, it's easy to blame in economic boost.

She's situation to a new group because that have been happening for generations.

So in guns, they if we were looking they come in, come to view to this country that taxpayers their citizens there, people who'll bring the expect thieves, the heads, ball ewells all the Americans here when a bit of fog, mainly when a bit of business, they are men who working.

There's a few oppose.

But that doesn't mean the community of You know, it's it's a hardworking community so that a country viewers people think that they can they think no, they gain.

They pay taxes.

If find they work, they have apartment and they've been paying taxes legally in this country.

So it is a benefit for all.

But downtown.

>> Not only that this is a designation by the U.S. government.

So it's not an exploitation by the people.

They're not asking for this.

This is granted to them.

Yes, you have to apply.

But this is available to all.

This is not exploitation.

Can some of them apply for political asylum?

Absolutely.

Any kind of asylum is available to anyone who does have a valid fear of persecution in their home country based on protected grounds.

Right?

There are limitations.

But these people not only are they eligible for TPS, thinking eligible for asylum and maybe even family petition if they have a family member who is a U.S. citizen it was some of the alternatives, definitely the alternatives.

And I to see a lot of people who I'm currently have TPS also have an asylum application pending as well.

Weather with the courts are with us.

The I S and they're going to have to fall back on that.

Unfortunately, as this is being stripped away.

And we understand change brings a love, a lot of uncertainty you just mentioned now suppose you and your family protection?

What do you think would be your next steps?

>> I mean, you talk about building a business here.

Yeah, correct.

Wait for sure.

And going to go back to Venezuela.

We can't just we can and I have a and I need to start thinking that we're going to do next.

So maybe a 3rd country this point we're not certain of anything.

Is the stories they see that you see here is something on that time day.

>> We have line people outside of our offices coming.

What is my next step?

Definitely no one had said that.

A coin No one.

So we just feel like they still have apartment.

We still legally.

So we still living cards them to you.

new bill, your taxes, though, the things that you supposed to be building, but there's no options will.

But one things that we're doing and we're proud of it, we are told in the know your rights.

No, you're right.

But it's in the community, even though feed that for you is for you, friends for your business.

So I understand correct.

And and Hannah, there's a California lawsuit seeking to bring back the temporary protected status extension which was set to expire in October 2026.

>> This is one of countless losses.

A Trump administration is facing candies legal challenges make a difference and stop the change.

The only way that these legal challenges can make a difference is if the courts, the people, the Department of Justice actually enforces them against the executive branch excite against Congress against whoever is In combat to to those orders.

So it's very exciting that this order is out there and then it's or this this is pending.

And that's available.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of faith in it.

Really only have a couple seconds.

But again, mentioned you've been living.

You made a life here.

You know, what does this community in Chicago mean to you?

Chicago is home for right now.

>> And I don't like I cannot imagine being in another country right now because is my home a place where fail to my family and I built everything.

it's and I happened to go to a restaurant