The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension Monday of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela.
Temporary Protected Status has been extended to the South American nation for an additional 18 months from Sept. 10, 2022, through March 10, 2024, according to a DHS press release.
Only individuals currently covered by Venezuela's designation residing in the United States as of March 8, 2021, may reapply for TPS under this extension, the department said. Protected status is not available to Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. after March 8, 2021.
"After careful consideration, and in consultation with the secretary of state, today I am extending that designation," Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, said in the release. "This action is one of many ways the Biden administration is providing humanitarian support to Venezuelans at home and abroad, together with our regional partners. We will continue to work with our international partners to address the challenges of regional migration while ensuring our borders remain secure."
Instructions for re-registering for TPS and completing the application to renew an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be included in an upcoming Federal Register announcement, according to the release.
Venezuelans who are currently eligible for TPS under the existing designation but have not yet applied with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are urged to do so before the application deadline of Sept. 9, 2022, the DHS stated. This includes Venezuelans who are covered by the January 2021 grant of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). The DED for Venezuela will end July 20.
The estimated number of people who qualify for TPS under the current classification for Venezuela is approximately 343,000, according to the DHS.
