On Monday, temporary protections were extended for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the United States by the Biden administration. The extension only applies to those individuals who were residing in the United States as of March 8 of 2021, when the initial Temporary Protected Status designation was granted.
“This action is one of many ways the Biden administration is providing humanitarian support to Venezuelans at home and abroad, together with our regional partners,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our international partners to address the challenges of regional migration while ensuring our borders remain secure.”
The extension, although helpful to some, fell short of what many immigration advocates and government officials were hoping for from the administration.
“Plain and simple, the Biden administration made the wrong decision today and missed the opportunity to ensure the safety of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the Maduro regime and reinforce its leadership and commitment in the Western Hemisphere,” said Sergio Gonzales, executive director of The Immigration Hub, referencing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
The initial Temporary Protected Status designation was set to expire in September 2022. After the most recent extension, the TPS designation for Venezuelans who were in the US as of March 8, 2021 will run for an additional 18 months, through March 10, 2024.
If you have questions about Temporary Protected Status or other immigration issues, The Law Office Of Mariana Toledo-Hermina is here to help. We have been helping people just like you since 2011 – contact us today to schedule a consultation!