US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Sunday that Venezuelan nationals currently in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) can apply for refugee status. The statement came during an interview on Fox News Sunday, where Noem emphasised that the US seeks a Venezuelan leader who will cooperate in combating drug trafficking and preventing terrorists from entering the country.
Noem terminated the 2021 Biden-era TPS designation for Venezuela four months ago, affecting over 250,000 Venezuelans. This decision, along with a previous order stripping about 350,000 Venezuelans of TPS, has left many facing legal battles to remain in the US. Florida, home to more than half of affected TPS holders, has seen widespread revocation of legal status and work permits under the Trump administration.
Democratic Miami Mayor Elaine Higgins criticised the revocation on Saturday, calling it “reckless, dangerous, and wrong”. She argued that ongoing instability in Venezuela makes the country unsafe for returns, stating, “No one should be forced back into chaos and uncertainty.”
A DHS spokesperson previously justified the termination by citing Venezuela's role in driving irregular migration, which they said undermined Trump administration immigration policies. Noem added that President Trump's message to Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, was clear: “You can lead or you can get out of the way.”
