The Trump administration has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an estimated 300,000 Venezuelans residing in the United States.

This decision, which is part of a broader strategy to tighten immigration controls, comes in the wake of a new agreement with Venezuela to accept deported nationals, as Fox News reports.

TPS, a program that provides safety from deportation and work permits to individuals from nations experiencing unsafe conditions, has been a lifeline for many Venezuelans in the U.S. In 2023, over 300,000 Venezuelan nationals were benefiting from this program.

However, a recent announcement by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that the extension of these protections, previously provided by the Biden administration for an additional 18 months, would be revoked.

Changes Follow Agreement with Venezuela

The Biden administration had extended TPS protections to delay deportations, a move that had provided temporary relief for many. The recent revocation specifically affects TPS designations established in 2023, sparing those under a 2021 designation. Noem's recent announcement signals a shift in policy under the Trump administration.

In addition to ending TPS for Venezuelans, the Trump administration also announced the cessation of a temporary parole policy for Venezuelans and select other nationalities.

This change coincides with the administration's strategy of securing the border and increasing deportation rates. In pursuit of these goals, military resources have been deployed to the southern border, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently conducting a tour of Latin American countries.

New Measures Include Military Deployment

The new measures are part of the broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Attempts to reduce the use of TPS align with the administration's previous actions, as similar steps were taken during Trump's first term.

Venezuelans, who were a significant group entering the U.S. amid the border crisis from 2021 to 2024, are now facing a potential increase in deportations.

An important aspect of this development is the new agreement with Venezuela, which had earlier paused the acceptance of deported nationals in early 2024.

As a result of renewed negotiations, Venezuela has now agreed to accept deported nationals, including individuals from groups like the Tren de Aragua.

Venezuela to Readmit Deported Nationals

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed satisfaction with this arrangement, emphasizing Venezuela's commitment to accept all Venezuelans who had settled in the United States, including those associated with criminal activities.

Trump added, "Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back."

To reinforce these measures, Noem visited the southern border last week to assess the situation firsthand.

Meanwhile, Defense Department Secretary Pete Hegseth made a visit to the border on Monday. These visits are part of the administration's efforts to ramp up security and oversee the implementation of these new policies.

Impact on Thousands of Venezuelans

The impact of these decisions is significant, with the revocation of TPS threatening to leave many Venezuelans uncertain about their legal status in the United States. For those previously shielded from deportation, the end of TPS means they may soon face a heightened risk of removal.

Despite the administration's focus on security, these actions have sparked concerns among human rights advocates and communities affected by the revocations. They argue that the decision to end TPS for Venezuelans will further endanger individuals who fled their home country due to dire circumstances.

The revocation of TPS, coupled with other tightened immigration measures, marks a turning point in the current administration's immigration agenda. The full impact of these changes remains to be seen as the situation on the ground continues to evolve.