USCIS and DHS Announce TPS Redesignation for Venezuelans: Everything You Need to Know
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have released an important update regarding the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals. The redesignation will allow more eligible individuals to apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents.
What is TPS and how it can benefit you:
TPS, or Temporary Protected Status, is a temporary immigration program that provides protection to individuals in the United States who are unable to safely return to their home countries due to extraordinary and temporary conditions, such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or similar situations.
TPS beneficiaries may receive the following benefits:
- Protection from Deportation: TPS recipients cannot be deported as long as they maintain their TPS status.
- Employment Authorization: TPS holders have the right to work legally in the United States during the TPS designation period.
- Travel Permit: In some cases, TPS recipients may obtain limited travel permits to leave and return to the United States.
Importantly, TPS is a temporary status and does not lead directly to permanent residency (green card) or citizenship. However, during the validity period of TPS, beneficiaries may seek other forms of immigration status if they are eligible.
Each TPS designation has a specific duration, and beneficiaries must re-register and renew their status as per guidelines provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to maintain their benefits.
Requirements and Benefits:
To be eligible, you must have established residence in the U.S. before July 31, 2023 and maintain continuous residence. The redesignation, known as Venezuela 2023, opens the opportunity for approximately 472,000 additional Venezuelan nationals to apply for TPS. Those who enter after July 31, 2023 will not be eligible.
If you qualify, take advantage of this period to file your initial TPS application using Form I-21 by April 2, 2025. You can also request anEmployment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-75 along with your Form I-821 or separately, remember that we are here to advise you and you can carry out this process satisfactorily and obtain this exclusive benefit for Venezuelans.
Re-registration and Extension:
The TPS extension for those who have already enrolled (Venezuela 2023) runs through September 10, 2025 . Re-registration is open from January 10, 2024 to March 10, 2024. Make sure you maintain your status and employment authorization. USCIS will process pending applications under Venezuela 2021 and has automatically extended the validity of certain previously issued EADs until March 10, 2025.
This update seeks to alleviate the hardships faced by Venezuelans and reinforces USCIS and DHS’s commitment to the immigrant community. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Start your process today and secure your future in America!
Sources: https://www.uscis.gov/es/programas-humanitarios/estatus-de-proteccion-temporal, https://www.uscis.gov/es/noticias/comunicados-de-prensa/dhs-publica-notificacion-del-registro-federal-que-extiende-y-designa-nuevamente-por-separado-a, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/09/29/dhs-previews-federal-register-notice-extending-and-separately-redesignating
