Elation and speculation, after Trump's last-minute protected status for Venezuelans

Former President Donald Trump’s move to extend protected status to Venezuelans hours before leaving office has generated praise and speculation over the timing of the move.

Venezuelan exiles have been among Trump’s most loyal supporters and are elated over the last-minute move. For years, Republican and Democratic members of Congress lobbied for the protected status. Moving to the Deferred Enforced Departure program for Venezuelans stands in sharp contrast to Trump’s hard-line immigration policies.

The executive order defers for 18 months the removal of Venezuelans who were at risk of being...