The status allows people already in the United States to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to natural disaster or civil strife.

The Trump administration argued that courts can't stop the Homeland Security Department from abruptly ending a program for Venezuelan migrants.

"Without Temporary Protected Status, if somebody never applied for asylum, they are in fact eligible for deportation, and they're at risk for deportation," said Erendira Rendon, vice president for immigrant justice at the Resurrection Project.

CARACAS/HOUSTON (Reuters) -A U.S. citizen who had been detained in Venezuela was handed over on Tuesday to Richard Grenell, an envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, the freed man's family said. Earlier on Tuesday,

A U.S. Air Force veteran detained in Venezuela has been released, according to his family and Trump administration officials.

Venezuela released Joseph St. Clair, a veteran arrested by local authorities last year. His family said they believe he was held in the notorious Rodeo I prison.