The Biden Administration has announced that it will offer Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to an estimated 300,000 Venezuelans living in the United States. TPS allows the United States government to grant provisional protection to immigrants from countries plagued by war, natural disaster or political instability. In making the decision, the Administration cited the economic and political turmoil which has embroiled the country under the leadership of Nicolas Maduro.
Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced the designation on behalf of the Administration, authorizing TPS for eighteen months, or until September of 2022. Venezuelans must complete a formal request for TPS status, and applicants will have six months to do so. Venezuelans who are approved are entitled to work authorization and are deferred from deportation.
With the grant of TPS, many Venezuelans now have various options for pursuing status. And, with this announcement a number of significant questions can arise for Venezuelans assessing their immigration options:
- Whether the designation of TPS helps or hurts my existing asylum case?
- Whether to continue to pursue an asylum case now that TPS is available?
- Whether to pursue TPS if you already have a valid work authorization?
- Whether you can travel outside the United States with TPS?
If you are a Venezuelan national who would like to apply for TPS, or needs assistance with an existing immigration matter, please contact Stephen Antwine, Esq. at Green & Spiegel, LLC at (215) 395-8959.
