Photo of Kelvin Zyteng in Unsplash
On September 3, 2025, the Donald Trump administration announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted to Venezuelan migrants in 2021. The measure, published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will leave approximately 256,000 people without legal protection, whose permits will officially expire on September 10, 2025, with a 60-day grace period.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained that the decision was based on public safety, immigration policy, economic interests, and foreign policy. According to Noem, maintaining the program would have created a "magnet effect" that encouraged the irregular arrival of migrants from Venezuela.
Why TPS in 2021?
TPS for Venezuelans was granted in March 2021, during the Joe Biden administration, in response to the political, social, and economic crisis facing Venezuela under the government of Nicolás Maduro. The benefit was subsequently renewed in 2023, extending protection to hundreds of thousands of applicants.
For many families, TPS represented a legal lifeline that allowed them to work, study, and build a life in the United States, while Venezuela was experiencing one of the worst migrations on the continent. According to UN data, more than 8 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2015.
Where are they most affected by the measure?
The cancellation of TPS creates great uncertainty in cities with large Venezuelan populations, such as Miami, Houston, New York, and Orlando, where beneficiaries are deeply integrated into economic and social life. Immigration organizations warned that thousands of families could be left in an irregular situation and at the mercy of deportation proceedings.
Among the options offered by DHS is a voluntary return program, which includes assistance with air transportation, a $1,000 voucher, and the possibility of applying for future re-entry visas. However, migrant advocates point out that these measures are insufficient given the magnitude of the impact.
Political reactions
The decision was met with strong criticism from Democratic congressmen and human rights organizations, who called it "inhumane." They argue that the forced return of thousands of people to Venezuela exposes migrants to risks of political persecution, insecurity, and extreme poverty.
On the Republican side, the measure was defended as part of Trump's "putting Americans first" policy, reducing what they described as a burden on the country's social and labor system.
How is the TPS legal battle going?
Legal experts anticipate the issue could end up back in court. In recent years, federal courts have blocked attempts to limit TPS, although the Supreme Court has already upheld the executive branch's authority to modify or terminate these programs.
For now, 2021 TPS beneficiaries have weeks to evaluate legal options and decide whether to remain in the U.S. without immigration status or to pursue voluntary departure plans.
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