The Trump administration has rescinded an extension of deportation protections previously granted to over 600,000 Venezuelans in the United States. This move, led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, reverses a decision by the Biden administration that provided an additional 18 months of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals, allowing them to remain in the U.S. legally and obtain work permits.
President Donald Trump, who assumed office on January 20 with a strict stance on immigration, has consistently opposed humanitarian programs he views as exceeding the legal framework of U.S. immigration policies. His administration argues that ending the TPS extension aligns with efforts to enforce stricter immigration controls and limit the expansion of temporary residency protections.
The decision has sparked widespread criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and political opponents, who argue that revoking TPS will place thousands of Venezuelans at risk, given the ongoing economic and political crisis in their home country. However, the Trump administration maintains that the program was never intended to be a long-term solution and that individuals under TPS should seek alternative legal pathways or prepare for repatriation.