The magic of Disney World came to a sudden halt for dozens of its employees this week—not because of a ride malfunction or a park shutdown, but due to a sweeping immigration policy change.
Behind the scenes of Florida’s most iconic theme park, about 45 Venezuelan workers found themselves unexpectedly placed on unpaid leave, all because of a Supreme Court ruling that changed their immigration status overnight.
The Court Ruling That Sparked It All
The sudden disruption came after the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration, giving the green light to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants.
orking in Florida.
For Disney World, one of the state’s largest employers, this meant immediate action.
Affected employees—many of whom had built lives and routines around their work at the park—were informed on Tuesday that they would be placed on unpaid leave starting May 20, with a 30-day window to secure new legal work authorization.
If they can’t, their jobs may be permanently terminated next month.
Disney’s Response: Legal Compliance With Compassion
Disney, which refers to its staff as “cast members,” emphasized that the move wasn’t about politics, but rather compliance with federal law.
A company spokesperson shared that the leave comes with continued benefits, aimed at helping employees navigate the legal uncertainty without breaking the law.
“We are committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of all our employees who may be navigating changing immigration policies,” the spokesperson said, acknowledging the personal toll these abrupt changes can take.
According to reports, at least one Venezuelan cast member showed up to work unaware of the change—only to be turned away at the gate.
What is Temporary Protected Status?
TPS is a legal designation offered to migrants from countries facing extreme conditions such as natural disasters or civil unrest.
While it doesn’t offer a pathway to citizenship, it does allow individuals to live and work in the U.S. legally.
Over the years, many of these protections have been renewed regularly—until now.
With the Supreme Court overturning a lower federal judge’s ruling that had temporarily protected Venezuelans from losing their TPS, the door has been opened to mass deportations, especially in Florida where an estimated 225,000 TPS holders reside.
Why This Decision Matters
For immigration experts and advocates, the ruling represents an unprecedented rollback of legal protections.
Attorney Ahilan Arulanantham, who represents many Venezuelan migrants, described it as “the single largest action in modern American history stripping any group of non-citizens of immigration status.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security welcomed the decision as a win for national security, blaming the Biden administration for allegedly abusing immigration loopholes.
Trump spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin echoed that sentiment, saying the new ruling was part of efforts to restore “integrity” to the immigration system.
Political Fallout in Florida
Florida is feeling the brunt of the impact—not just because of its large Venezuelan community, but also because it’s home to employers like Disney that are now forced to make tough calls.
State Representative and Democratic mayoral hopeful Anna Eskamani said that Disney’s actions could set a precedent, warning that “other companies in our economy look toward them” for guidance.
She also pointed out the irony that many Venezuelan immigrants in the state had actually supported Trump during the 2024 election—only to now face the consequences of his administration’s policies.
More Changes May Be Coming
This case isn’t an isolated one. It’s part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to tighten immigration rules through emergency appeals to the Supreme Court.
Just earlier this month, the government asked the court to end humanitarian parole for migrants from not just Venezuela, but also Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua—setting the stage for even more deportations in the near future.
What’s Next for These Workers?
For now, Disney’s affected employees are in a race against the clock.
They have a month to sort out their paperwork or face the loss of their livelihood.
The broader immigrant community in Florida is watching closely, unsure of what their future holds.
And with more immigration challenges likely ahead, the story unfolding at the happiest place on earth may only be the beginning.