Trump cancels the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans

The new measure is a severe blow for more than 600,000 Venezuelans who could be returned to their country in the coming months.


The United States canceled the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan immigrants on Wednesday, a measure from the Biden administration that provided them with an additional 18 months—until October 2026—of protection against deportation, as well as work permits.

The new measure is a harsh blow for more than 600,000 Venezuelans who are already in the United States and could be sent back to their country in the coming months.

On January 11, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the former Secretary of Biden's National Security, extended protections for Venezuelans due to the severe political and economic situation under Nicolás Maduro's regime.

But in the opinion of Kristi Noem, who is now at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the decision of her predecessor meant that those individuals "were going to be able to stay here and violate our laws for another 18 months."

"We stopped that. Today we signed an executive order at DHS stating that we are not going to proceed with this extension... we will follow the process and evaluate all these individuals who are in our country, including the Venezuelans who are here and members of the Tren de Aragua," he said to Fox News.

The official added that Americans want "these trash" out of the country, referring to the irregular migrants accused of committing crimes who were arrested in the past week.

The United States granted this Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelans on March 9, 2021.

In October 2023, the South American country was redesignated for a period of 18 months—known as the 2023 TPS for Venezuela—which meant that more than 470,000 citizens from that country could apply for this benefit. It was then decided that it would be valid until September 10 of the following year.

The Biden administration had extended that validity until October 2026, an extension that Trump has just revoked.

Venezuelan migrants who hold TPS will remain protected until the day the benefit expires, depending on their situation.

Those who received the EPT in 2021 will maintain their protection until September, while those who obtained it in 2023 will only have it until April.

The current Secretary of Homeland Security has until Saturday to decide whether to grant another extension to the second group. If no action is taken, the protections will automatically extend for six months, according to the notice.

When that time expires, all beneficiaries return to "the same immigration status or category they had prior to TPS, if they had one" or to "any other legally obtained immigration status or category received while registered for TPS."

Those who do not qualify under either of the two provisions would remain undocumented. Some may be eligible for asylum, but they would need to demonstrate that they faced persecution in Venezuela due to their political affiliation, religion, ethnic group, etc.

Venezuelans have arrived in large numbers in the United States fleeing political repression, poverty, violence, and a lack of opportunities in their country.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cancellation of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans

What does the cancellation of the TPS extension for Venezuelans mean?

The cancellation of the TPS extension for Venezuelans means that more than 600,000 Venezuelans in the United States could be deported once their current status expires. This revokes the previous measure from the Joe Biden administration that extended protection until October 2026.

When will the TPS for Venezuelans who already have it expire?

For Venezuelans who received TPS in 2021, their protection will expire in September 2025. Those who obtained it in 2023 will have it until April 2026, unless a new extension is decided.

What options do Venezuelans affected by the cancellation of TPS have?

Affected Venezuelans may try to apply for asylum, but they must demonstrate that they suffered persecution in Venezuela due to their political affiliation, religion, ethnic group, among others. They may also try to obtain another legal status if possible.

Why was the TPS extension for Venezuelans canceled?

The cancellation was ordered by Kristi Noem, current Secretary of Homeland Security, who believed that the extension allowed immigrants to remain and violate U.S. laws for an additional 18 months.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.