Photo by Andres Silva on Unsplash

This was not the news that anyone wanted. 

On February 1, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem decided to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the 2023 designation for Venezuela.  

TPS and related benefits associated with the 2023 designation will end on April 7, 2025.

The Trump Administration decided that Venezuela does not meet the eligibility requirements for a TPS designate country, surprising since our own State Department report on Venezuela describes it as a nation where ‘59% of households don't have enough income to buy food.' Almost eight million people have been forced to flee Venezuela, equaling 27% of the total population. The Biden Administration attempted to prevent TPS from ending - on January 17, 2025, then-Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas issued a notice extending the 2023 designation of Venezuela for TPS for 18 months. But once newly appointed-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem took office she vacated the extension. 

Sadly this decision affects thousands of people, almost 350,000 Venezuelans to be precise. This current termination determination does not apply to the 2021 designation of Venezuela for TPS, which remains in effect until September 10, 2025, or to individuals who are registered for TPS under the 2021 designation. But come September, another almost 250,000 people registered under the 2021 designation will lose their status, and with it their ability to work. 

The previous Trump Administration put deferred departure in place for Venezuelans, but it was the Biden Administration that registered TPS for Venezuelans. The current iteration of the Trump Administration has made it a goal to conduct mass deportations, but TPS recipients have permission to be here and must pass criminal background checks to be eligible for the status. Once their TPS status ends they will be without protection from deportation. 

We know that this announcement has created a lot of fear in the Venezuelan community, and that is valid. But it is important to know what your rights are, regardless of your immigration status. If you are, or are about to be undocumented, we encourage you to read this Know Your Rights information (available en Español and English). 

We also encourage you to book a consultation with our office to see if there are any other avenues available for your immigration pathway. 

If you need assistance filing for an extension of TPS or another immigration petition, you can reach us at (757) 422-8472, or send us a message on our website. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys by clicking on this link.