Bishops Condemn End of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans

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Key Takeaways

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan immigrants will end on April 2, 2025, affecting hundreds of thousands in the U.S.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept TPS-related re-registration or work authorization requests tied to the 2023 designation.
• Affected individuals have 60 days from the notice publication to navigate legal work permit losses and prepare for potential deportation.

The Trump administration’s recent decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan immigrants has prompted strong criticism from advocacy groups, religious leaders, and affected individuals. Announced in early February 2025, the decision will terminate protections initially granted in 2023 under the Biden administration. The revocation will take effect on April 2, 2025, stripping hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans of their right to stay and work legally in the United States.

Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is a form of humanitarian relief offered to individuals from countries experiencing crisis conditions like environmental disasters, armed conflict, or other extraordinary circumstances. In 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas designated Venezuela for TPS due to a “severe humanitarian emergency.” The Biden administration cited a slew of factors, including economic collapse, food and medicine shortages, high unemployment, and political repression. One of the key extensions under this program was set to expire in October 2026, but this lifeline for Venezuelan nationals has now been vacated prematurely by the Trump administration.

Bishops Condemn End of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans

Kristi Noem, the current Secretary of Homeland Security, played a central role in this policy change. She signed the notice indicating that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept re-registration applications or work authorization requests tied to the 2023 TPS designation. The decision stems from the administration’s conclusion that Venezuela no longer meets the conditions necessary to justify TPS. This determination, which controversially claims that the continued presence of certain Venezuelans is “contrary to the national interest,” has already been published on the Federal Register.

From the perspective of the Trump administration, this action is consistent with its broader approach to TPS and immigration enforcement. Both President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance have previously emphasized their commitment to stringent immigration controls, including overseeing large-scale deportations. This decision directly aligns with those priorities, despite sharp opposition from immigrant rights groups and Venezuelan advocates.

Faith-based organizations have expressed particular alarm at the revocation of TPS. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a robust critique of the decision. Chieko Noguchi, a spokeswoman for the Bishops, lamented the loss of legal protections for a group that has been contributing to American society in numerous ways. She argued that the decision is “counterproductive” to the administration’s publicly stated goals of easing pressure on American communities. By removing the legal status that allows Venezuelans to work and pay taxes, the policy, they say, creates economic and societal instability rather than solving any clear problems.

The bishops have also urged the Trump administration to reconsider its stance. They argue that reversing this decision would display compassion while affirming the United States’ moral commitment to those fleeing oppression and crisis. Furthermore, they have called for meaningful engagement between the administration and Congress to reform the broader immigration system. Currently, the system is marked by what many advocates consider arbitrary and inconsistent policies, including the abrupt cancellation of legal protections for those already integrated into U.S. society.

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) echoed these concerns, labeling the policy change as a “betrayal” of both moral and legal responsibilities. Anna Gallagher, the executive director of CLINIC, pointed out that Venezuela remains embroiled in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Describing conditions in the country, she highlighted ongoing political instability, food shortages, and widespread poverty—all of which have forced millions to seek refuge abroad. CLINIC has emphasized that the 2023 TPS designation was essential for Venezuelan immigrants who sought safety in the United States. Gallagher views the revocation as an abandonment of America’s role as a protector of vulnerable populations.

Opinions among Venezuelan immigrants provide a personal lens into the hardships this policy could bring. Ana Maria Pirela, a Venezuelan immigrant living in California, discussed the uncertainty gripping her life in the wake of the announcement. Pregnant and financially fragile after her husband lost his job, Ana Maria emphasized the severe consequences that potential deportation would have for her family. Given the deteriorating situation in Venezuela, returning is not a feasible option for many in her community, amplifying fears over what lies ahead. Others, like 58-year-old Erlinda Mendoza in Florida, express disbelief at the sacrifices that may now feel futile. Mendoza and many like her came to the United States in search of stability and opportunity—a promise that this decision places in jeopardy.

The reaction has not been confined to advocacy groups alone. Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, currently living in exile, highlighted the risks that deportees would face if returned to Venezuela. Gonzalez described initiatives underway to urge the U.S. government to reconsider this policy. His statements underline the gravity of the situation in Venezuela, where political dissidents remain under threat and daily life continues to present formidable difficulties.

Florida stands out as one of the states most affected by the decision, given that nearly 60% of Venezuelans with TPS reside there. The reverberations of the policy are felt acutely in this region, where individuals have long sought better opportunities while contributing to local industries. Immigration lawyers, such as Lissette Sanchez in Tampa, have in turn condemned the revocation. Sanchez describes the policy as unnecessarily punitive, warning of severe disruptions for families and businesses alike. For Venezuelan TPS holders, many of whom have spent years building lives in the United States, the timeline for preparing their next steps is especially narrow. Affected individuals have until early April, only 60 days following the termination notice’s publication, to navigate the loss of their legal work permits and prepare for possible deportation.

While advocates highlight the harms, proponents of stricter immigration policies view this decision differently. Organizations favoring zero-tolerance approaches argue that TPS was never meant to be permanent. They contend that the country’s resources should prioritize citizens and permanent residents over temporary immigrants, regardless of their circumstances. These debates highlight ongoing tensions around the implementation of TPS—what it should achieve and how it should evolve with changing conditions in source countries. Nevertheless, critics argue that a humanitarian legal framework must remain in place as long as conditions like those in Venezuela persist.

Anna Maria, Erlinda, and other affected Venezuelan immigrants are not the only ones feeling the weight of this policy. The broader Venezuelan migrant community has expressed growing anxieties. Tatiana Vazques, a Venezuelan immigrant based in Atlanta, noted the increasing panic caused by news of arrests carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Such incidents have reinforced a growing concern that the end of TPS signals more rigorous enforcement ahead, accompanied by rising instability for mixed-status families and their social networks.

Despite the scale of this setback, not all Venezuelan TPS holders are affected immediately. Roughly 300,000 Venezuelans still maintain TPS protections through September 2025, leaving their status unchanged for the time being. However, the inevitability of future decisions regarding their circumstances casts a wide shadow, leaving little room for optimism in these communities.

The unfolding situation illustrates broader dynamics in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration. While the administration has prioritized what it terms national security and border integrity, critics argue that its specific decisions often undermine humanitarian protections. Issues like the termination of TPS for Venezuelans raise questions about how the government balances national interests with international crises and moral responsibility.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the debate surrounding TPS is far from over. Advocacy groups, faith leaders, legal experts, and affected immigrants continue to call for a humane approach that recognizes the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. Whether through congressional action or further negotiations, the stakes remain high for individuals caught in the middle of this contentious policy shift.

For additional information on the TPS program and the details of the current decision, visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page on TPS for Venezuela.

With the April deadline looming, it is crucial for affected Venezuelans, their families, and legal advocates to explore options, mobilize community support, and prepare for what comes next. Those impacted are encouraged to consult experienced immigration professionals for guidance tailored to their unique circumstances.

Learn Today

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A humanitarian program granting temporary legal status to individuals fleeing crisis conditions like conflict or natural disasters.
Revocation → The act of officially canceling or withdrawing a previously granted legal right, status, or protection.
Humanitarian Crisis → Severe situations like war, poverty, or disasters, causing widespread suffering and displacement of people.
Federal Register → An official U.S. government journal publishing agency rules, public notices, and important policy changes.
Deportation → The legal process of forcibly removing a non-citizen from a country, often due to immigration status violations.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump administration’s decision to end TPS for Venezuelans shocks thousands. Stripped of legal work and residency, families face an uncertain future amid Venezuela’s ongoing crisis. Critics argue this move disrupts lives and economies, urging compassion and reform. As April’s deadline looms, advocates push for justice; impacted individuals navigate looming deportations.
— By VisaVerge.com