More than 7.13 million migrants and refugees left Venezuela to escape the ongoing poverty and political repression that has been affecting their country for the last decade. According to U.S. Government data, record numbers of Venezuelan migrants have been crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in the last few years.
In response to this situation, on March 8, 2021, Venezuela was designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for every Venezuelan that has maintained continuous physical presence in the U.S. since March 9, 2021. Please visit the USCIS page for more information .Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Venezuela | USCIS
TPS allows hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans already living in the U.S. to apply for work authorization and offers temporary protection from deportation. You can read more about TPS in our previous blog Venezuela Designated for TPS – Francis Law Center | Immigration Law Firm.
Key Details of the TPS Extension for Venezuelans
On September 20, 2023, President Biden extended TPS for Venezuela for 18 months, applying this extension only to Venezuelans who entered the U.S. before July 31, 2023. This decision would grant TPS eligibility to an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. in addition to nearly 243,000 Venezuelans who already qualified for the TPS.
Automatic EAD Extension Under the New TPS Designation
USCIS automatically extended the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that were issued under the 2021 TPS designation of Venezuela. This extension specifically applies to EADs that have an expiration date of September 9, 2022 or March 10, 2024. If you have an EAD based on TPS for Venezuelans that expires on the above-mentioned dates, USCIS will automatically extend your work authorization through March 10, 2025.
If you are a citizen or permanent resident from Venezuela that has resided in the United States since March 9, 2021, or if you are filing an initial application under Venezuela’s 2023 redesignation from October 3, 2023, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Francis Law Center to discuss your case.
Schedule an Initial Consultation: Call us at 877-369-2575. You can also reach us online. We look forward to hearing from you.
Francis Law Center: Your Partner in Navigating Immigration Law
Serving clients across Chicago, Schaumburg, Naperville, Madison, and beyond, Francis Law Center brings families together, advocates for humanitarian relief, and helps professionals and businesses with complex immigration issues, including Family-Based Immigration, Humanitarian & Citizenship, and Employment-Based Immigration.
We believe in an interconnected world powered by mobility and diversity. As part of our commitment to that idea, we provide a full range of services to clear the legal path enabling professionals, families, and businesses to thrive in the United States.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice. Written by Francis Law Center Staff Karla C.
