SILVER SPRING, Maryland – The Trump administration has announced that it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans who were granted protections through the 2021 TPS designation for Venezuela. This decision will affect approximately 250,000 Venezuelans living and working in the United States who rely on TPS to prevent forced return to Venezuela.

"We are disheartened by this decision, and deeply concerned for our Venezuelan neighbors," said Anna Gallagher, CLINIC's executive director. "As we have previously expressed, we believe that this move threatens the lives and safety of vulnerable people. As Catholics, we are called to look out for the weak and vulnerable. Venezuela remains highly unsafe, which our government recognizes in its own travel advisories. Rapid termination of TPS for Venezuela is unjust and unwarranted. We urge the administration to ensure that TPS holders have other opportunities for safety, or to change course."

A court ruling in May 2025 allowed the Trump administration to proceed with their decision to terminate the 2023 designation of TPS for Venezuela, but the 2021 designation was left in place. Now, Venezuelans protected under either designation will be at risk of deportation in the coming days – approximately 600,000 people.

"While this decision is not unexpected, it is extremely disappointing. This move ignores the dangerous conditions in Venezuela and only expands the grave harm we spoke out against in May," said Ilissa Mira, senior attorney at CLINIC. "We will stand by our network as they seek to help their clients navigate these changes."