DHS Terminates 2021 TPS for Venezuela: What It Means for Affected Immigrants

On September 3, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela granted in 2021 will be terminated. The termination takes effect on November 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time.

This means that Venezuelan nationals who received TPS under the 2021 designation will only be protected from deportation and authorized to work in the United States until that date. After November 7, unless they qualify for another form of immigration relief, their TPS protections will end.

DHS explained that conditions in Venezuela no longer meet the statutory requirements for TPS. They also cited national interest and migration concerns as factors in the decision. Whether one agrees with DHS’s reasoning or not, the result is the same: thousands of Venezuelans who have lived and worked in the United States must now urgently reassess their legal options.

Who Is Affected by the Termination of TPS for Venezuela?

This termination applies only to Venezuelans who were granted TPS under the 2021 designation. These individuals cannot reapply or extend TPS beyond November 7, 2025. Their work authorization, protection from removal, and access to benefits tied to TPS will also end on that date.

It is important to clarify that this is not related to the 2023 redesignation of TPS for Venezuela. That designation, though it remains in place for some, is also currently being challenged in federal court. For now, some beneficiaries under the 2023 designation continue to have valid TPS and work authorization pending court orders, while others have lost their protections altogether.

The situation is complicated by ongoing litigation, but for those under the 2021 designation, the November 7 termination date is final unless a court intervenes. Federal judges have recently issued orders affecting DHS’s efforts to cancel TPS (for example, a Sept. 5, 2025 district-court ruling restoring protections/ordering website updates for TPS holders), and those rulings are being appealed — so practical outcomes could change while litigation proceeds.

Legal Challenges and Court Battles

TPS for Venezuela and for many other countries has been the subject of intense legal battles over the past several years. Federal courts have repeatedly reviewed whether DHS terminations were made lawfully and free from political bias.

In some cases, courts have temporarily blocked terminations while appeals play out. It remains possible that litigation could delay or reverse DHS’s decision. However, no one should assume that will happen. The only safe course is to prepare as though TPS protections will end.

The Human Impact

Behind the legal terms like “termination of designation” are real families whose lives will be profoundly affected. Many Venezuelans with TPS have lived in the United States for years, working hard, paying taxes, raising U.S.-born children, and contributing to their communities.

For them, the prospect of losing legal protection is devastating. Returning to Venezuela may mean facing political unrest, severe economic instability, and humanitarian crises. Others fear being separated from their children who know no other home but the United States.

The ripple effects extend beyond immigrant families. Employers lose workers, schools lose students, and communities lose active participants.

TPS was always meant to be temporary. Yet when “temporary” stretches over years, people naturally put down roots. Ending these protections is not just a legal decision; it is a deeply human one.

What You Should Do Now

If you are a TPS holder under the 2021 Venezuela designation, do not wait until the last minute. Immigration processes take time, and November 7 will come quickly. Here are important steps you should take:

1. Consult with an immigration attorney. Every case is unique. You may qualify for asylum, family-based residency, employment visas, or other forms of relief. Only a lawyer can evaluate your options based on your personal history and immigration record.

2. Know your deadlines. Your work permit is tied to TPS. Make sure you know when it expires and whether you can apply for another status before then.

3. Stay informed. Litigation could affect deadlines, but do not rely solely on news or rumors. Follow DHS announcements and maintain close contact with your attorney.

4. Plan for all scenarios. Prepare for the possibility that TPS truly ends. That may mean organizing finances, securing important documents, or making difficult family decisions.

5. Act early. The sooner you begin, the more options you may have available.

   
   

The termination of Venezuela’s 2021 TPS designation is a difficult moment for many in our community. It brings uncertainty, fear, and the risk of family separation. At the same time, it serves as a call to action: do not wait, seek legal guidance now, explore every possible option, and prepare for what lies ahead.

Patricia Elizee is the managing partner of the Elizee Law Firm, an immigration law firm located at 1110 Brickell Avenue, Suite 315, Miami, Florida 33131. Phone 305-371-8846. The law firm was established in 2012. Ms. Elizee earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Miami School of Law and her Masters in Law from the University of Washington School of Law.