Trump Revokes Protection of Venezuelans in US, 600,000 Face Deportation

Mexico City, Mexico, January 30, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem revoked the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the more than 600,000 Venezuelans currently in the United States who had benefited from a government program designed to protect them from deportation.

The decision reverses the previous Biden administration’s 18-month TPS extension for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans. According to US law, the secretary of homeland security holds the authority to designate, extend, or terminate TPS for a country. Noem’s memo specified that her decision “vacates [the previous] notice immediately.”

“Today, we withdrew the ridiculous Biden Administration order that allowed unvetted illegal immigrants from Venezuela, including members of the viscous (sic) gang Tren De Aragua, to stay in our country and violate our laws,” wrote Secretary Noem on social media.

In an interview with Fox News, she said that the previous order would allow those living in the US under TPS to “continue violating our laws.” Under the program, individuals reside in the country legally and have work permits.

“This program was abused, exploited, and politicized. No more immigration schemes that make Americans less safe,” stated Noem.

Speaking to CNN, the secretary implied that the decision was the result of a “directive” from Trump.

This reversal throws into question the immigration status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who had arrived in the US during the Biden administration and received protection via a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) order in 2021 and 2023. 

A DHS press statement issued at the time of the extension said the move was justified due to “extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent eligible Venezuelan nationals from safely returning.”

US unilateral coercive measures applied against Venezuela by President Barack Obama, and extended into both the Trump and Biden administrations, have caused serious economic challenges for the Caribbean country, leading to a large emigration of people. 

With the latest decision, the 2021 TPS designation now faces an expiration date of September 10, 2025; meanwhile the 2023 TPS designation will expire on April 2, 2025. Noem’s memo argues that TPS designations are “discretionary” and that as a result, “there is no judicial review” of her decision to vacate the extension provided by her predecessor Alejandro Mayorkas. Noem argued that Mayorkas’ decision “tied her hands.”

The secretary will, according to US law, later review both the 2021 and 2023 designations and potentially provide a 6, 12, or 18 month extension. 

Florida lawmakers Mario Díaz-Balart, Carlos A. Giménez, and María Elvira Salazar spoke out against the decision by Noem, despite their closeness to Trump, arguing that it is “not safe for many to return” to Venezuela.

In response to news that TPS would not be extended, Maduro said Venezuela would welcome back its citizens. 

“We do want them to come back. If they don’t want them over there, we do want them, with love, and we open our arms,” said Maduro. The government’s “Return to the Homeland” plan is set up to facilitate return flights for Venezuelan migrants in the hemisphere.

Civil society groups representing Venezuelans abroad also rejected the revocation. 

In a statement, the self-styled Venezuelans Persecuted Politically in Exile (VEPPEX) said they “applaud the fact that criminals are being expelled” but that they “ reject the idea of ​​turning all Venezuelan immigrants into criminals.”

The decision to rescind the TPS extension for Venezuelans comes as US President Donald Trump moves forward on his pledge to carry out the “largest deportation operation” in US history. Trump had said he would focus on so-called “criminals” present in the US first. However, his administration’s decision to revoke the Mayorkas extension puts over 600,000 Venezuelans in limbo.

The White House will also have to contend with how to deport Venezuelans back to their home country given the lack of diplomatic relations with the Maduro government. The Trump administration has opted to continue with his predecessor’s policy of disregarding the outcome of the 2024 presidential election that saw Maduro take office for another six-year term. Instead the US declared Edmundo González is “Venezuela’s rightful president” in a statement from US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

González has engaged on an international tour to secure support from the US and allies for his presidential claim. In a recent Washington Post interview, the former candidate urged the Trump administration not to engage with the Maduro government concerning immigrants and instead deport Venezuelan nationals to a third country.

White House envoy for special missions Richard Grenell has reportedly spoken to Venezuelan officials. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab has offered to “resume legal cooperation” with US authorities to coordinate the deportation of Venezuelan nationals.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.