The Government of the United States has decided to revoke an extension of deportation protection that former President Joe Biden had granted to more than 600,000 Venezuelans residing in the country, according to The New York Times.
According to the newspaper, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has issued an order, not yet officially revealed, that cancels the 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted on January 10 to Venezuelans. This means that these individuals are now subject to deportation.
TPS is assistance provided to citizens of certain countries who have emigrated to the United States due to natural disasters or armed conflicts, allowing them to live and work in the country until it is deemed safe for their return.
This measure represents a blow to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants who believed they had protection against deportation and the possibility of obtaining work permits until October 2026.
The Department of Homeland Security justified the extension of TPS for Venezuelans by stating that the country continues to face a serious humanitarian emergency due to the political and economic crises under Maduro's government.
TPS was extended until October 2, 2026, benefiting about 600,000 Venezuelans in the United States who meet the requirements. Among them are those who arrived in the country before July 31, 2023, and have resided continuously, except for those with criminal records.
President Donald Trump, in his second term initiated on January 20, recognizes Gonzáles Urrutia as the elected president of Venezuela and has taken a strong stance against irregular immigration regardless of the migrants' nationality.
During his first term, Trump attempted to end protections for migrants from various countries, such as Haiti, El Salvador, and Sudan, although some of his attempts were blocked by federal courts.
