As in the rest of the United States, TPS for Venezuelans in Los Angeles has changed considerably since 2025.
The general 2021 and 2023 Venezuela designations were terminated, so there is currently no general protection that allows any Venezuelan to apply for TPS solely based on their nationality.
However, the situation is not the same for everyone. Certain beneficiaries who received an EAD on or before February 5, 2025, with an expiration date of October 2, 2026, remain authorized to work through that date.
Our Los Angeles immigration lawyers at Lluis Law can review your documents and help you understand how these changes affect your situation.
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What is TPS for Venezuelans in Los Angeles and what happened to it?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a federal protection that may allow certain individuals to remain and work legally in the United States when it is unsafe for them to return to their home country.
Its main benefits include:
- Protection from deportation based on a lack of lawful immigration status.
- The ability to obtain a work permit (EAD).
- Authorization for certain travel, when applicable.
Venezuela had two TPS designations, one from 2021 and another from 2023. During 2025, DHS took several steps to terminate both, although different court decisions temporarily modified some of their effects.
The impact of these changes has been significant. As of March 2025, Venezuela had more TPS beneficiaries than any other country, with more than 605,000 approved individuals. The program also had a significant presence in California, with 79,320 beneficiaries of different nationalities.
What happened to Venezuela’s 2023 designation?
The 2023 designation went through several changes during 2025. DHS announced its termination on February 5, 2025, reversing a previous extension that would have provided protection through October 2, 2026.
After several legal challenges, the Supreme Court allowed the government to move forward with the termination on May 19, 2025, while litigation continued.
What happened to Venezuela’s 2021 TPS designation?
DHS also announced the termination of Venezuela’s 2021 designation in 2025. The termination took effect on November 7, 2025, although litigation concerning decisions related to both designations continued.
What is the current status of TPS for Venezuelans?
The current TPS situation for Venezuelan nationals depends primarily on each beneficiary’s dates and documents.
Therefore, it is important to review:
- Which designation the person had, either the 2021 or 2023 designation.
- When the EAD was issued.
- The work permit expiration date.
- USCIS notices, such as Form I-797.
- Whether the person has another valid immigration status or pending immigration process.
When do TPS protections for Venezuelans expire?
There is no single expiration date that applies to all former TPS beneficiaries. Some documents may remain valid through October 2, 2026, if they:
- Were issued on or before February 5, 2025.
- Have an expiration date of October 2, 2026.
- Are TPS-related documents, such as an EAD, Form I-797, or Form I-94.
USCIS provides updated information on its official TPS page for Venezuela.
Are some TPS work permits still automatically extended?
In certain cases, yes. Some EADs may qualify for an automatic extension of up to 540 days if:
- The Form I-765 renewal application was received before February 6, 2025.
- The beneficiary has the corresponding receipt notice.
- The work permit meets the conditions established by USCIS for that extension.
The exact duration depends on the documents and dates involved in each case.
What happened to the TPS extension for Venezuelans?
The TPS extension announced in early 2025 would have provided protection through October 2026, but DHS subsequently rescinded it.
As a result, that date does not currently operate as a general extension for all Venezuelans. In addition, a TPS extension does not automatically make new applicants eligible.
Generally, an extension benefits individuals who were already protected and met the established deadlines. To include people who arrived later, DHS would need to issue a new designation or redesignation of TPS for Venezuela.
Who could qualify under Venezuela’s 2023 TPS designation?
Under the 2023 designation, applicants had to meet specific residence and physical presence requirements in the United States.
The main requirements included:
- Having resided in the United States since July 31, 2023, or earlier.
- Maintaining continuous physical presence since October 3, 2023.
- Not having been convicted in the United States of a felony or two or more misdemeanors, and not being subject to other applicable grounds of ineligibility, including certain national security grounds.
- Complying with the applicable re-registration periods to maintain protection.
When a designation is in effect, the time it takes for TPS to be approved may vary depending on the documentation submitted, required background checks, and USCIS processing times.
What documents should people who had TPS for Venezuela review?
Individuals who had TPS should keep and review:
- Previous and current EADs.
- TPS-related Forms I-797.
- Forms I-94, when applicable.
- Passports and identification documents.
- Evidence of residence and physical presence used in previous applications.
- Documents related to any other immigration process.
- Certified English translations of documents written in another language.
In addition, if there were arrests, immigration court proceedings, or encounters with ICE, it is advisable to keep those notices and records as well. At this point, it is important to know what to do when dealing with ICE.
What happens to Venezuelans when their TPS ends?
When TPS ends, a person generally returns to the immigration status they previously held, provided that status is still valid.
If the person does not have another immigration status or form of protection, they may face the consequences of unlawful presence in the U.S. and may become vulnerable to deportation.
Therefore, before any remaining protection expires, it is advisable to determine whether another immigration option may be available.
What is CBP Home and what does it currently offer?
DHS uses the CBP Home application to facilitate the voluntary departure of certain individuals who are in the United States without lawful status.
Currently, eligible individuals who use this program may receive:
- A $2,600 incentive after completing their departure.
- A free flight and assistance arranging their travel.
- Waiver of certain civil fines for previously failing to depart, when applicable.
However, CBP Home does not automatically apply to everyone who loses TPS. Before pursuing voluntary departure from the United States, it is advisable to determine whether another status, pending process, or immigration option may be available.
What other options can Venezuelans consider after TPS?
TPS does not, by itself, lead to lawful permanent residence or grant another immigration status.
However, under certain circumstances, it may be worth reviewing who may qualify for permanent residence after TPS or through another immigration pathway, such as:
- Asylum in the United States, if there is a fear of persecution upon returning to Venezuela.
- Permanent residence, when a family-based, employment-based, or other qualifying pathway is available.
- Cancellation of removal, for certain cases already before an immigration court.
- Immigration waivers, when certain prior conduct or immigration violations affect another immigration application.
In asylum cases, USCIS states that maintaining TPS may be considered an extraordinary circumstance regarding the one-year filing deadline, provided that the deadline had not already expired.
Note: Having had TPS does not guarantee approval of any of these alternatives. Each option has its own requirements and must be evaluated based on the individual’s immigration history.
Latest news on TPS for Venezuelans in Los Angeles
On August 14, 2026, DHS reiterated that TPS terminations for several countries, including Venezuela, remain in effect.
Recent changes have not been limited to Venezuela. Other countries have undergone similar reviews, including TPS for Honduras.
This does not mean that all Venezuelans who previously had TPS are in the same situation. Some may retain certain valid documents or have another immigration status or form of protection.
Key changes affecting TPS for Venezuelans in 2025 included:
- March 31: A federal court temporarily blocked the termination of the 2023 designation.
- May 19: The Supreme Court allowed the government to move forward with the termination while litigation continued.
- August 29: The Ninth Circuit unanimously confirmed that federal courts could review DHS decisions and concluded that the Secretary lacked authority to revoke the prior extension of Venezuela’s TPS designation.
- October 3: The Supreme Court again allowed the terminations to take effect while the legal proceedings continued.
However, the Ninth Circuit’s August 29 decision did not, by itself, restore TPS protections because of the stay previously ordered by the Supreme Court.
What is known about the Venezuelan TPS case before the Supreme Court?
The case Mullin v. National TPS Alliance, No. 26-48, remains pending before the Supreme Court.
So far:
- The government filed its petition on July 9, 2026.
- The National TPS Alliance responded on August 20, 2026.
- The case has been distributed for the September 28, 2026 conference.
For now, this does not mean that the Court has restored TPS for Venezuela or issued a final decision in the case.
Frequently asked questions about TPS for Venezuelans in Los Angeles
How long can you apply for TPS for Venezuelans in 2026?
There is currently no general open registration period to apply for TPS for the first time solely based on Venezuelan nationality. People with pending applications or situations connected to previous registration periods should have their cases reviewed individually.
When does TPS for Venezuelans end?
There is no single date that applies to everyone. The general designations have already been terminated, although certain EADs issued on or before February 5, 2025, with an expiration date of October 2, 2026, remain valid for employment authorization through that date.
Is TPS for Venezuelans still in effect in the United States?
Not as a general protection available to all Venezuelans. However, some former beneficiaries may retain certain rights or valid documents depending on the dates and circumstances of their cases.
Was TPS for Venezuelans canceled?
Yes. DHS terminated Venezuela’s 2021 and 2023 designations. Even so, document-related exceptions and pending litigation mean that not all beneficiaries are currently in the same situation.
Will TPS for Venezuelans be renewed?
No new general renewal of TPS for Venezuela has been announced at this time. In addition, ongoing litigation in the courts does not mean that the program has automatically been renewed or restored.
Los Angeles immigration lawyers for TPS-related cases
Recent changes to TPS for Venezuela make it especially important to review each case based on the person’s documents, immigration history, and other available immigration options.
At Lluis Law, attorneys David Lluis and Ramiro Lluis are part of a team with more than 60 years of combined experience representing immigrants and families in Los Angeles. The firm handles cases involving:
- Permanent residence;
- Asylum;
- Deportation defense;
- Family petitions;
- Immigration waivers; and
- Other immigration matters.
If you had TPS for Venezuela or are unsure what protection you currently have, contact us to review your situation and learn what legal options may be available in your case.
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