Trump Ends TPS Protections for 600,000 Venezuelans, Effective Immediately/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 600,000 Venezuelans, effective immediately, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The decision overturns a last-minute extension granted by the Biden administration, which had allowed Venezuelans to remain in the U.S. until October 2026. The change restores the original expiration date to April 2025, leaving many at risk of deportation. While the U.S. lacks diplomatic relations with Venezuela, Noem stated that Trump will push for deportations regardless. The fate of other TPS holders, including Salvadorans, Ukrainians, and Sudanese, remains uncertain.
Trump Administration Ends TPS for Venezuelans: Quick Looks
- TPS Revoked for 600,000 Venezuelans: The Biden-era extension to 2026 has been rolled back, setting the expiration date to April 2025.
- Deportation Uncertainty: With no U.S.-Venezuela relations, removing TPS recipients may face logistical challenges.
- Noem’s Justification: The Homeland Security Secretary called the Biden extension “an excuse to violate our laws”.
- Impact on Other Groups: Noem did not clarify whether TPS will end for Salvadorans, Ukrainians, and Sudanese.
- Trump’s Hardline Immigration Stance: TPS faces an uncertain future, as Trump had previously tried to limit its use.
Trump Administration Ends Deportation Protections for Venezuelans
Noem Announces Immediate TPS Revocation
In a sweeping immigration move, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday that the Trump administration has revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 600,000 Venezuelans.
Speaking on Fox & Friends, Noem said the decision overturns an extension granted by the Biden administration, which had pushed TPS protections to October 2026.
“Before he left town, Mayorkas signed an order that extended protection for another 18 months, allowing people to stay here and violate our laws. We stopped that,” Noem stated.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a six-page notice, stating that the new rule reverts Venezuelan TPS to its original expiration date of April 2025.
Deportation Challenges and Trump’s Response
With TPS protections revoked, Venezuelan immigrants may now face deportation. However, logistical barriers remain, as the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with Venezuela, making deportation complicated.
Venezuela joins Cuba and Nicaragua as nations that do not readily accept deportees, but Noem emphasized that Trump will push for removals regardless.
“President Trump will exercise all authority to make these countries take them back,” Noem said.
The Future of TPS for Other Immigrant Groups
Under the Biden administration, TPS was extended for:
- 230,000 Salvadorans
- 103,000 Ukrainians
- 1,900 Sudanese
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Created in 1990, TPS provides temporary legal status to immigrants from countries facing natural disasters, war, or humanitarian crises.
- It allows recipients to live and work legally in the U.S.
- Status is not permanent, requiring government renewal every 18 months.
- Over 1 million immigrants from 17 countries currently hold TPS, including people from Haiti, Honduras, Afghanistan, and Lebanon.
Trump’s Hardline Stance on TPS
During his first term, Trump attempted to restrict TPS, arguing that it was being used as a backdoor to permanent residency.
His administration now has the power to terminate extensions early, though this has rarely been done in past administrations. With immigration enforcement a top priority, more TPS rollbacks could be on the horizon.
Final Thoughts: Uncertain Future for Venezuelans and Other TPS Holders
- Venezuelans now face an uncertain future, with TPS set to expire in April 2025.
- Other immigrant groups may also lose protections, depending on future DHS decisions.
- Trump’s immigration policies continue to prioritize enforcement, with TPS possibly facing broader cuts.
As the administration moves forward, affected immigrants will be closely watching for further policy changes that could impact their legal status in the U.S.
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