Tue Feb 04 07:08:47 IST 2025: **Trump Administration Ends Protections for 350,000 Venezuelans**

Washington, D.C. – February 4, 2025 – The Trump administration is ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans living in the United States, leaving them vulnerable to deportation within two months. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s order, effective 60 days after its publication on Wednesday, affects roughly half of the 600,000 Venezuelans currently under TPS protection. The remaining Venezuelan TPS recipients will see their protections expire later this year.

This decision marks the latest move by the Trump administration to crack down on undocumented immigrants, fulfilling campaign promises of a large-scale deportation effort. The Department of Homeland Security cited improved conditions in Venezuela as justification for ending TPS, arguing that the program has been exploited and is causing difficulties in local communities. Concerns about the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, were also raised.

While the TPS designation provides legal residency, it does not offer a pathway to citizenship. Previous attempts by the Trump administration to end TPS for citizens of other countries faced legal challenges. The administration’s move follows a visit by U.S. special envoy Richard Grenell to Venezuela, resulting in the release of six American prisoners. Mr. Trump subsequently claimed on social media that Venezuela had agreed to accept the repatriation of its citizens, though this has yet to be officially confirmed by the Venezuelan government. The U.S. currently lacks formal diplomatic relations with Venezuela, complicating deportation efforts. Critics argue that TPS renewal has become automatic regardless of conditions in the home country. The news was initially reported by The New York Times.

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