Can Venezuelan Immigrants Receive Protection From Deportation?

 Posted on October 11, 2023 in Immigration

Over the past several years, Venezuela has experienced a political and economic crisis. As the situation continues to escalate, many Venezuelans are seeking refuge in other countries, including the United States. In some cases, immigrants who have entered the U.S. may receive certain protections, including authorization to work and protection against deportation. However, due to the increasing numbers of undocumented immigrants, the United States is also performing more deportations. Because of the complex issues that can affect Venezuelans who need to address matters related to immigration, it is important for these immigrants to work with an attorney to determine their legal options.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Venezuela have entered the United States over the past several years. Because of the conditions in Venezuela, it may not be safe for many of these migrants to return to their original homes if they were forced to leave the U.S. In response to these concerns and to ensure that immigrants will be able to support themselves while living in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security has allowed more Venezuelans to qualify for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

TPS allows immigrants from certain designated countries that are experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary conditions to continue living in the United States, while also giving them authorization to work lawfully. While TPS does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship directly, it does protect certain immigrants from deportation and grants them work authorization for a certain period of time. This temporary reprieve can offer security for immigrants who are waiting for improvements in the conditions in their home countries or are seeking to gain permanent resident status in the U.S.

Eligibility Criteria for TPS Benefits

To be eligible for Temporary Protected Status, a Venezuelan immigrant must be able to demonstrate that they are a citizen of Venezuela or habitually resided in the country. They must also show that they have continuously resided in the United States since a specified date.

Previously, Venezuela had been designated for TPS in 2021, and immigrants could qualify for protections if they entered the United States prior to March 8, 2021 and continuously resided in the country since that date. The Department of Homeland Security recently redesignated Venezuela for TPS. Now, Venezuelans who entered the U.S. before July 31, 2023 can qualify for protection. This may allow around 470,000 Venezuelans to receive protection against deportation.

Venezuelans who qualify may apply for TPS between October 3, 2023 and April 2, 2025. Immigrants who previously received Temporary Protected Status must re-register between January 10, 2024 and March 10, 2024. In most cases, those who are granted TPS will receive authorization to live and work in the United States until September 10, 2025.

Increased Deportations for Venezuelan Immigrants

While some Venezuelan immigrants may be able to qualify for TPS, others may be at risk of being deported. The current TPS designation only applies to people who entered the United States before July 31, 2023. However, tens of thousands of additional Venezuelan immigrants have entered the country since that date, along with hundreds of thousands of immigrants from other countries. In response, the United States is making an effort to perform more deportations, while also putting other measures in place to reduce illegal immigration. 

Because of these issues, Venezuelans may need to take action to defend against deportation or address other legal issues related to immigration. An experienced attorney can provide guidance and legal representation in these situations, helping immigrants and their family members understand the best steps to take to protect themselves.

Contact Our Orange County Deportation Defense Lawyers

To learn more about how Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC can help you address legal concerns related to Temporary Protected Status or deportation as a Venezuelan immigrant in Florida, please contact our Orlando immigration attorneys at 407-955-5000. We offer free consultations where we will discuss your situation and advise you on how we can help with your case.