Department of Homeland Security Offers Temporary Legal Status to Venezuelan Immigrants

Amanda J. Behena

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday, March 8 that it will offer deportation relief and work permits to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants living in the U.S., citing political and economic turmoil in the South American country.

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allows the U.S. government to grant provisional humanitarian protection to immigrants whose home countries are unable to guarantee the safe return of their citizens.

The TPS designation applies to undocumented Venezuelan immigrants who have been living in the U.S. as of Monday, March 8, 2021 and will be effective for 18 months, from March 9, 2021 through September 9, 2022. It is estimated 320,000 Venezuelans are eligible for relief.

During the TPS designation period, beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States, may not be removed, and are authorized to obtain an employment authorization document (EAD) so long as they continue to meet the requirements of TPS.

To register for TPS based on the designation of Venezuela, you must submit an Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) with required evidence. The application period will be open from March 9, 2021 to September 5, 2021. DHS has provided more information, which you can read here.

Not all Venezuelans will be eligible for this program. Please discuss your eligibility with a licensed immigration attorney and beware of scams.

For more information on the TPS application process, please contact Woods Fuller attorney Amanda Bahena at 712-722-5300.