Trump revokes Biden’s extension of protected status for Venezuelans

Jan 29

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Karah Rucker Anchor/Reporter

By Karah Rucker (Anchor/Reporter), Ian Kennedy (Video Editor)

The Trump administration has reversed an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans in the United States, a move initially implemented by the Biden administration. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed in an interview with Fox News that she rescinded the extension, which had been signed by Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

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“Before he left office, Mayorkas signed an order extending protection for 18 months, allowing people on TPS to remain in the U.S. and potentially violate laws for another 18 months. We stopped that,” Noem said.

She announced the signing of an executive order within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent the continuation of the extension.

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“We will follow the process and evaluate all these individuals in our country,” Noem added.

More than 500,000 Venezuelans are under TPS protection

As of December 2024, more than 500,000 Venezuelans were benefiting from TPS, a program designed to protect individuals from countries in crisis, preventing deportation and granting legal work status.

The Biden administration had recently renewed the designation through October 2026, citing the ongoing humanitarian, economic and political crises in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime has been marked by increasing political persecution.

Florida congresswoman sounds off on issue

Florida, home to the largest number of Venezuelans under TPS, has seen mixed reactions. Republican Rep. María Elvira Salazar expressed support for maintaining protections for Venezuelans but also called for stronger action against Maduro.

In a statement to the Miami Herald, Salazar said, “Venezuela’s dictator Nicolás Maduro jails, beats, rapes, and kills anyone who speaks against him. There is a simple solution to this: Maduro has to go! Trump is the only force to get him out. Once Maduro is gone, there will be peace for Venezuelans.”

TPS protections set to expire

With the Trump administration’s decision, the expiration dates for TPS protections are reinstated. Some individuals under the program will see their status expire as early as April 2025, while others may face expiration in September.

Noem has said DHS will evaluate each case, rather than applying a blanket extension of protections when deciding whether to extend or end TPS for Venezuelans in the U.S.

Tags: Department of Homeland Security, Donald Trump, Florida, Immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Joe Biden, Kristi Noem, Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela

[Karah Rucker]

The Trump administration has repealed an extension of “Temporary Protected Status” for Venezuelans in the U.S. that was put in place by the Biden administration in its final days before the leadership change.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed in an interview with fox news that she rescinded the 18-month extension, which had been signed by Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Before he left town, Mayorkas signed an order that said for 18 months, they were going to extend this protection to people on temporary protected status, which means they could stay here and violate laws for another 18 months and we stopped that.

Today we signed executive order within dhs that we would not follow through on what he did to tie our hands, we will follow the process and evaluate all these individuals in our country.”

As of December 2024, more than 500,000 Venezuelans held protective status under the TPS PROGRAM –

Which protects individuals from countries in crisis, shielding them from deportation and allowing them to work legally in the u.s.

The Biden administration recently renewed the designation through October 2026, citing ongoing humanitarian, economic, and political crises in Venezuela.

Venezuela’s authoritarian regime has seen an increase in political persecution since its 2024 presidential election – which saw president nicolas maduro claim victory –something the u.s. Called a sham.

Florida has the highest number of venezuelans on “temporary protected status.”

A republican congresswoman from the state wants to see venezuelans stay protected from deportation under the TPS program.

But says the real solution – would be president trump forcing maduro out.

Maria elvira salazar said in a statement to the miami herald –

“Venezuela’s Dictator Nicolas Maduro jails, beats, rapes, and kills anyone who speaks against him.There is a simple solution to this: Maduro has to go! Trump is the only force to get him out. Once Maduro is gone — there will be peace for Venezuelans.”

The trump administration’s reversal on biden’s extension now reinstates the expiration dates

set before the extension was granted –

Through april of this year for some in the program – and through september for others.

Noem will need to make a determination on whether to extend or end the protections –

Something she says will be done by assessing each individual rather than blanket protections.

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