Bridgeport immigration advocate Dr. Dennis Bradley, Sr. - father of the Bridgeport attorney by the same name - is encouraging undocumented Venezuelan immigrants to apply for asylum as a way of protecting themselves from deportation while the Trump administration cracks down on the undocumented community.

"Applying for asylum offers them an avenue to stay in the United States during these turbulent times for immigrants," Bradley said.

A federal judge this week paused efforts by the Trump administration to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans who are undocumented.

"That gave me hope - and while the case plays out in the courts, undocumented immigrants have extra time to figure it all out," Bradley said.

John Garces, of Bridgeport, is a Venezuelan immigrant who has applied for asylum.

"I am grateful that I followed Dr. Bradley's advice and took this important step -- because now I have more time to build my case and not get deported," Garces said.