A growing number of Venezuelan voters in South Florida, once among President Donald Trump's most loyal supporters, are rethinking their allegiance as his administration's moves on immigration have taken a toll on their fellow citizens.A new poll released Monday by Florida International University's Latino Public Opinion Forum shows the GOP is losing its grip on this crucial voting bloc, as the White House moves quickly to end protections for Venezuelan migrants and ramp up mass deportations.Why It MattersSince his January 20 inauguration, President Trump has rolled out sweeping immigration changes, marking a sharp escalation of his hardline enforcement agenda. These efforts have expanded deportations—even targeting noncitizens who had previously been granted legal permission to live and work in the United States.The White House's decision to revoke key protections for Venezuelan migrants—including Temporary Protected Status (TPS)—and to deport alleged members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang to El Salvador without due process has left some of Trump's former supporters feeling frustrated and betrayed by an administration they once firmly supported, the poll shows.What To KnowTrump's move to terminate key protections for Venezuelan migrants has fractured the Venezuelan diaspora in South Florida. While many long-settled Venezuelans still support the former president, recent arrivals and mixed-status families are turning away—frustrated by what they see as a betrayal from an administration they once backed.Florida is home to nearly half of the Venezuelan population in the U.S., according to Pew, with some 118,000 alone residing in Miami-Dade County, where their political influence has grown over the past 20 years. Trump carried Miami-Dade by about 125,000 votes over Kamala Harris in November, according to state voting data, making him the first Republican to win there since George Bush in 1988.In the April survey of 408 Venezuelan residents in Florida, conducted by Florida International University's Latino Public Opinion Forum, nearly half of those who reported voting for Trump in 2024 said they now either regret their decision or have mixed feelings about it. About 40 percent of all respondents said they plan to support a Democratic, Independent, or non-MAGA candidate in the future."It was seen as a betrayal," said Eduardo Gamarra, the FIU political scientist who led the poll. "We're observing an extraordinarily polarized community—one that's split between those who are citizens and those who are not, between those who have resolved their immigration status and those who haven't."Among the 32 percent of respondents who said they voted for Trump in 2024, Gamarra noted that disillusioned supporters aren't necessarily gravitating toward other Republican figures. Instead, they're stepping away from the party altogether. The survey also found that 39 percent of all participants are reconsidering their vote because of Trump's handling of Venezuela policy, with most of that shift leaning toward Democratic candidates.Still, a solid bloc of support remains. Among Trump 2024 voters, 35 percent said they are "very satisfied" with their choice, while 22 percent expressed regret and another 12 percent reported some dissatisfaction.A Generational and Status-Based DivideGamarra described the divide as deeply generational and tied to immigration experiences. "Venezuelans who arrived before 2000 are the most radically Republican," he told Newsweek. "But newer arrivals—many of whom are TPS or parole recipients—see the administration's policies as abandonment."That divide mirrors dynamics seen in South Florida's extensive Cuban community, Gamarra added. "It's something we've always seen: those already here often discriminate against new arrivals, thinking they're not as good or that they're different," he said. "There are class, political, and racial dimensions to this."The FIU survey also revealed the extensive reach of Trump's immigration policy changes within the Venezuelan community. More than 57 percent of respondents said they or someone close to them had been affected by the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans—21 percent personally, and 35 percent through a friend or family member. Only 41 percent reported no direct or indirect impact.About 80 percent of all respondents—including half of those who are U.S. citizens—called Trump's decision to end TPS unjust. Nearly as many voiced the same opinion about the shutdown of the humanitarian parole program for Venezuelans, which had previously provided a legal pathway before being suspended.That skepticism extends to how recent deportations have been handled. A solid majority of respondents—61 percent—said they do not believe the deportations were carried out in accordance with U.S. law. Just 18 percent said they were, while 21 percent said they were not sure.Political Consequences for Rubio and GOP AlliesThe political consequences may surface as soon as 2026. One of the final questions in the survey asked about views on Florida's congressional delegation—including former senator and now Secretary of State Marco Rubio—and the responses suggest a cooling of support.Rubio, once closely aligned with the Venezuelan exile community, recently sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that, according to Gamarra, "didn't oppose cutting TPS." That move, he said, "went down extremely badly—it felt like treason."Deploying a soccer metaphor, Gamarra added: "The ones who were caught offside were [Mario] Díaz-Balart, [María Elvira] Salazar, and [Carlos] Giménez—the three Cuban American representatives who had campaigned hard in defense of immigrants."Whether this voter shift results in real electoral change remains to be seen, but Gamarra emphasized its potential significance: "That 50 percent of Trump voters reconsidering their support could be decisive in [the midterms]."What People Are SayingEduardo Gamarra, the FIU professor who led the poll, told Newsweek: "From what I've seen in this recent survey, the solution to the problems of undocumented Venezuelans lies in the hands of those who have papers."Gustavo Garagorry, head of the Venezuelan American Republican Club of Miami-Dade, said in an interview with Politico: "I'm really embarrassed by what's happening to Venezuelans... More than one is on the verge of a heart attack over this."Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, whose district includes parts of Miami-Dade, told Politico: "Do not be scared yet, because chances are we're going to be able to find a solution."What Happens NextUnless new visas are secured by April of next year, thousands of Venezuelan TPS holders could lose their work permits and face deportation. Miami Republicans, including Salazar and Diaz-Balart, are lobbying to create legislative solutions such as Salazar's reintroduced Dignity Act, which would combine tighter border security with paths to legal residency.