US to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans this fall

In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans, designated in 2021 during the Biden administration, will formally end on Sept. 10.

The termination becomes effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

TPS is a designation that allows people from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions to remain temporarily in the US.

According to a December report by the Congressional Research Service, more than 250,000 Venezuelans have received protections under the 2021 designation.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said continuing the program would “undermine the Trump administration’s efforts to secure our southern border,” citing concerns about irregular migration, national security and foreign policy.

The DHS said Venezuelans who depart will be able to use a mobile app to register their exit and receive a free flight, a $1,000 stipend, and what it described as potential future opportunities for legal immigration.