On Sept. 3, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of the 2021 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela; the designation will expire on Sept. 10, 2025, and the termination becomes effective 60 days after the Federal Register notice is published.
Key Takeaways
- DHS announced the termination on Sept. 3, 2025; the TPS designation for Venezuela expires Sept. 10, 2025.
- The termination will take effect 60 days after the Federal Register notice is published.
- The decision followed an interagency review led by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and consultation with the Department of State.
- DHS cited national interest, public safety, and migration factors in deciding termination.
- The announcement referenced incentives for Venezuelan nationals leaving the U.S. via the CBP Home app, including a plane ticket and a $1,000 exit bonus as described by DHS.
- Practical implications include loss of TPS-based protections and possible changes to work authorization and travel permissions for beneficiaries.
Verified Facts
The Department of Homeland Security issued the announcement on Sept. 3, 2025, stating that the 2021 TPS designation for Venezuela will expire on Sept. 10, 2025. The department said the formal termination will be effective 60 days after a notice appears in the Federal Register, consistent with statutory requirements for TPS actions.
DHS said the secretary reviewed conditions in Venezuela after consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies. The statement names a USCIS review of country conditions and consultation with the Department of State as the basis for the secretary’s determination that the TPS designation no longer meets statutory requirements.
The agency described its reasons as weighing public safety, national security, migration patterns, immigration policy, economic considerations, and foreign policy. DHS characterized continued TPS for Venezuelan nationals as contrary to national interest, noting concerns about irregular migration and a perceived “magnet effect.”
The announcement also noted that Venezuelan nationals departing the United States may be encouraged to report departures using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app and that, per the release, options described could include a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and possible future pathways to legal immigration.
Context & Impact
For individuals granted protection under the 2021 designation, termination means a loss of TPS-specific benefits after the stated expiration and effective dates. That may include the eventual lapse of authorized stay and TPS-based work permits unless separate relief or extensions are granted by DHS or through legislation.
Practically, beneficiaries and legal advisers will need to track the Federal Register notice and any guidance USCIS or DHS issues about winding down benefits, filing timelines, or opportunities to apply for alternative statuses. Employers who hired TPS beneficiaries should expect questions about work authorization and potential documentation changes.
On migration policy, DHS framed the move as part of broader border-management objectives. Advocacy groups and some lawmakers may challenge the termination through administrative processes or the courts, while Congress has the option to provide legislative relief or alternative pathways for Venezuelans in the United States.
Internationally, the decision could affect U.S.-Venezuela diplomatic dynamics and the regional migration environment, with neighboring countries and international agencies monitoring displacement and cross-border flows.
“Given Venezuela’s substantial role in driving irregular migration and the clear magnet effect created by Temporary Protected Status, maintaining or expanding TPS for Venezuelan nationals directly undermines the administration’s efforts to secure our southern border and manage migration effectively,”
Matthew Tragesser, USCIS spokesman
Unconfirmed
- Exact date of the Federal Register publication and the precise 60-day effective-start date are not specified in the announcement.
- Details on eligibility criteria, funding, or administrative rules for the reported CBP Home app incentives (plane ticket, $1,000 exit bonus) were not provided in the statement.
- Whether affected individuals will have access to alternative immigration pathways or expedited processes remains dependent on future DHS guidance or congressional action.
Bottom Line
DHS has announced the end of the 2021 TPS designation for Venezuela, setting an expiration of Sept. 10, 2025 and an effective termination 60 days after a Federal Register notice. The move ends TPS protections granted under the 2021 action unless other relief is enacted; affected individuals, employers, and legal advisors should watch for Federal Register publication and follow-up guidance from DHS and USCIS.