On September 3, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the 2021 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela will end on September 10, 2025. This move affects Venezuelan nationals who have relied on TPS for lawful presence and work authorization in the United States.
What’s Happening?
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer meet the statutory requirements for TPS and that maintaining the 2021 designation is no longer in the national interest. The termination will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on September 10, 2025, which is exactly 60 days after publication of the Federal Register notice. (USCIS.gov)
What Is TPS & What Has Happened Previously?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provides temporary legal status and work authorization to eligible nationals already in the U.S., when their home countries face conditions that make return unsafe. TPS does not grant permanent residency or citizenship.
Venezuela was first designated for TPS on March 9, 2021. The 2021 designation was extended, most recently through September 10, 2025. Separately, Venezuela received a 2023 redesignation, which was terminated effective April 7, 2025, after previous extensions and litigation.
Legal Challenges & Litigation
Legal challenges have unfolded. A federal lawsuit led by the National TPS Alliance is contesting DHS’s decision, arguing procedural and constitutional issues. Courts, including the Ninth Circuit, have intervened at various stages to block or reinstate TPS protections. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court permitted the termination of the 2023 TPS designation, impacting approximately 350,000 beneficiaries.
Who Is Affected?
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All beneficiaries of the 2021 TPS for Venezuela are affected when it ends on September 10, 2025.
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The 2023 redesignation beneficiaries lost protections earlier, effective April 7, 2025.
Combined, these actions impact hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan TPS holders across the U.S.
What Must Affected Individuals Do?
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If you have no other lawful status, prepare to depart the U.S., apply for other immigration relief, or consult an immigration attorney immediately.
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You may use the CBP One app to record your departure and possibly qualify for benefits like voluntary departure assistance.
Conclusion
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The 2021 TPS designation for Venezuela ends on September 10, 2025—mark your calendars.
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Legal action may influence the outcome, but no guaranteed extension currently exists.
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Affected individuals should consult immigration counsel to explore options like asylum, adjustment, or other forms of relief.
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
Citations
USCIS Announcement – Termination of 2021 TPS for Venezuela
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SIANA J.MCLEAN is a Partner at Richards and Jurusik, who practices immigration law with a focus on asylum, removal defense, and immigration court matters. She has extensive experience representing clients before U.S. Immigration Courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals. (Full Bio)
