Related videos:
The Cuban-American congressmen Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos A. Giménez publicly celebrated the decision of the Donald Trump administration to reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan migrants, following a federal court order that blocked its cancellation.
The announcement was made by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) this Thursday, in compliance with an order from the Northern District of California judge issued on March 31. The decision brings relief to approximately 350,000 Venezuelans who were facing the risk of deportation starting this month.
On the social media platform X, Republican Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart stated: “I celebrate that the Venezuela TPS 2023 has been extended until October 2, 2026. I have always advocated for a secure border and a fair immigration system. I will continue to support those who have been forced into exile and will work with the Trump administration to ensure that those affected by Biden's grotesque border policies, with legitimate asylum claims, are heard.”
Díaz-Balart added that he remains committed to the cause of freedom and praised Trump as “the greatest ally in this fight.”
On her part, María Elvira Salazar described the news as an achievement: “EXCELLENT NEWS! The DHS and Secretary Noem will extend TPS for Venezuelans for 18 more months. I have been leading this fight for MONTHS! Thank you to the Administration for doing the right thing. Now let's take advantage of this extra time to oust Maduro.”
Giménez also expressed satisfaction: “It is extremely important that TPS is extended to Venezuelan exiles. This will allow them to stay in the country, continue working, and eventually legalize their status. I continue to advocate for solutions for Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans with humanitarian parole. We are attentive and willing to negotiate to resolve this immigration limbo.”
However, activists and citizens reminded on social media that the measure was not a voluntary decision by the government, but rather the result of a court order that blocked the cancellation of the program.
Several users firmly responded by recalling that the administration of Donald Trump attempted to eliminate the TPS for Venezuela in February 2025, claiming that "the conditions in the country had improved." The decision led to multiple complaints from immigration rights organizations, which argued discriminatory reasons for the cancellation of the status.
Impact of the measure
The court ruling not only keeps the TPS for Venezuela in effect, but also automatically extends the work permits (EAD) issued under categories A12 or C19, whose expiration dates ranged from September 2022 to September 2025, until April 2, 2026.
In addition, the SAVE platform, which public agencies use to verify the eligibility of migrants, will follow the official notice from the Federal Register on January 17, 2025, which confirms this extension.
Meanwhile, thousands of Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans are waiting for a similar measure regarding the humanitarian parole program, amid increasing political and judicial pressures to define the future migration status of tens of thousands of individuals included in this mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans
Why was the TPS for Venezuelans decided to be extended?
The extension of TPS for Venezuelans was the result of a federal court order that blocked the cancellation of the program by the Donald Trump administration. This happened because conditions in Venezuela remain critical, with a severe political and economic situation that prevents the safe return of its citizens.
How many Venezuelans will benefit from the extension of TPS?
Approximately 350,000 Venezuelans will benefit from the extension of TPS, which will allow them to continue residing and working legally in the United States until October 2, 2026.
What is the position of Cuban-American congressmembers on the extension of TPS?
Cuban-American congressmen Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos A. Giménez have expressed their support for the extension of TPS for Venezuelans. They believe it is an important measure to protect Venezuelan exiles and have praised the Trump administration for doing the right thing in this case, even though the decision was driven by a court order.
What impact does the extension of TPS have on work permits for Venezuelans?
The TPS extension also automatically extends the validity of work permits (EAD) for Venezuelans under categories A12 or C19, whose expiration dates were scheduled between September 2022 and September 2025. These permits will now be valid until April 2, 2026.
Filed under: