End of Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelans

As first reported, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Chief Christa Noem have officially ended Venezuela’s Temporary Protection Status (TPS) that was designated in 2021. This announcement was made public on Wednesday.

Under President Biden, two TPS designations have been established for Venezuelans. The initial one was created in 2021 and has now concluded, while the second designation from 2023 was terminated by the Trump administration on April 7, 2023.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained that sustaining or expanding TPS for Venezuelans runs counter to the goals set by the previous administration. They emphasized that this shift is largely due to concerns about public safety, national security, economic policy, and foreign relations. It seems the administration believes that keeping Venezuelans in the U.S. is not in the nation’s best interest at this time.

The cancellation of TPS means that roughly 268,156 Venezuelans currently residing in the United States will lose their protected status, making their stay no longer legal. Data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicates that 3,738 initial TPS applications are now on hold, and 102,935 renewal applications will also be invalidated as a result of this decision.

Individuals not protected under TPS are encouraged to use the CBP Home Mobile App to facilitate their departure from the U.S. The TPS designation is set to expire on September 10, 2025, but this cancellation will take effect 60 days after the Federal Registration Notice is issued.

Impactful shifts occurred earlier this year when around 348,000 Venezuelans lost their TPS status in April following the end of the 2023 designation, necessitating their exit from the country.

In a related context, the FBI has raised concerns about certain Venezuelan officials potentially facilitating the migration of violent members from criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua into the U.S. This development adds complexity to an already sensitive situation.

On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned actions taken by the Trump administration, which he claims are aiming for a change in governance in Venezuela through military pressure, particularly noting increased naval presence in the region.

Maduro expressed significant alarm regarding the threats facing Venezuela, asserting that the country is confronting unprecedented dangers on the continent, which they have not witnessed before.

Additionally, reports emerged Wednesday that U.S. military forces successfully conducted a strike in the Caribbean, destroying a drug ship linked to Venezuelan traffickers and resulting in the deaths of 11 suspected gang members.