US cities have been grappling with large numbers fleeing economic and political turmoil in Venezuela. Some 243,000 Venezuelans already have the status stemming from a 2021 policy that was renewed last year.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Venezuela that prevent individuals from safely returning. 

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. This redesignation provides temporary protection from removal, as well as employment authorization for individuals in the United States before July 31, 2023.

“Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return,” said Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived here on or before July 31 of this year find themselves in. We are accordingly granting them the protection that the law provides. However, it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023 are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.”

Applicants for TPS under this redesignation must demonstrate that they are Venezuelan nationals (or individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuelan) who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 31, 2023 and meet other eligibility criteria.

 Redesignation Allows Additional Eligible Venezuelan Nationals in the U.S. to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents 

There are currently approximately 242,700 TPS beneficiaries under Venezuela’s existing TPS designation.  There are an additional approximately 472,000 nationals of Venezuela who may be eligible under the redesignation of Venezuela.

The forthcoming Federal Register notice will explain eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs, and for new applicants to submit an initial application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD.