The Biden administration announced on September 20, 2023, it will offer Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the United States as of July 31, 2023. This means that Venezuelans who were in the U.S. as of July 31 will be able to apply for work permits and temporary relief from deportation.
The TPS designation is for 18 months and is based on a determination by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas that “an extraordinary and temporary condition” in a country prevents nationals of that country from returning safely. In this case, the Secretary determined that Venezuela’s instability and lack of safety due to the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions warrant the TPS designation. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement:
“After reviewing the country conditions in Venezuela and consulting with interagency partners, Secretary Mayorkas determined that an 18-month TPS extension and redesignation are warranted based on Venezuela’s increased instability and lack of safety due to the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions.”
The announcement is a positive development for Venezuelans who are already in the U.S. and who are struggling to make a living. It will also help to support the U.S. economy, as Venezuelans will be able to work legally and contribute to their communities. Millions of Venezuelans have fled their country in recent years due to economic and political turmoil. Republicans and immigration hardliners warn that expanding Temporary Protected Status will encourage more people to migrate to the US.
TPS does not lead to permanent residency, but the program allows hundreds of thousands of people to stay in the US indefinitely while their status is extended.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security grants TPS to immigrants in the U.S. who are afraid to return to their home country due to dangerous conditions. Federal immigration law recognizes that some immigrants merit legal relief. These situations can include when they have been victims of abuse, persecution, violence, or other dangerous conditions.
15 countries currently have TPS designation:
Do you need help with your immigration case? An experienced immigration attorney at Godoy Law Office in Cook and Dupage Counties, Illinois, can review your immigration eligibility and applications or renewals. Contact our office or call us at 630-345-4164.
