Trump Administration Axes Temporary Protections for Venezuelan Immigrants

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked an extension of temporary protective status (TPS) for nearly 600,000 Venezuelans. This decision, confirmed by an unpublished Federal Register document accessed by States Newsroom, reflects a significant policy shift.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the cancellation of the recently extended 18-month TPS protections, which had originally been renewed by former President Joe Biden until October 2026. Under TPS, individuals from countries affected by armed conflict or natural disasters are allowed to remain in the U.S. to avoid returning to unsafe conditions.

The reversal comes amidst a broader trend of heightened immigration enforcement under the current Trump administration. President Trump has initiated plans for mass deportations, which would also impact individuals who received legal status through provisions established during the Biden presidency, including Venezuelan TPS recipients.

The revocation is effective immediately, leaving many wondering about their future. The chaos in Venezuela’s political landscape has prompted many to seek refuge in the U.S., prompting the TPS designation initially in 2021 and an expanded redesignation in 2023, which created dual application processes for individuals from the same nation.

Current TPS holders from Venezuela will have their protections until April 2, 2025, with Noem required to decide on future extensions by this Saturday. Those Venezuelans who obtained TPS in 2021 will be protected until September 10, with a renewal decision due by July 12.

In her reasoning, Noem argued that former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acted prematurely in renewing TPS for Venezuelans. This revocation is expected to face legal scrutiny, as previous attempts during the Trump administration to end TPS for countries like Haiti and El Salvador were halted by the courts in 2018.

Nevada’s Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto criticized the decision, asserting that DHS lacks the legal authority to withdraw the TPS extension. “The Trump administration does not have the authority to revoke this TPS extension – it’s cruel, misinformed, and illegal,” she proclaimed.

Noem, during her confirmation, expressed disapproval of the Biden administration’s TPS renewals, arguing that the program has been exploited. “This program has been abused and manipulated by the Biden administration, and that will no longer be allowed,” she stated.

Currently, there are 17 countries designated under TPS, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Sudan, alongside Venezuela. The legal ramifications of this recent decision will likely unfold in the weeks ahead.