SILVER SPRING, Maryland – On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced an 18-month extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela for those who entered the country prior to July 31, 2023. This announcement will provide temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for an additional 472,000 Venezuelans, and extended protection for about 242,700 existing beneficiaries.

“This is welcome and relieving news indeed,” said Anna Gallagher, CLINIC executive director. “This temporary protection will be an answered prayer for thousands of Venezuelan men, women, and children who have fled dangerous and unstable conditions in their home country in search of a safe and dignified life. We will join our partners across the country in welcoming them into our communities and workforce, which will benefit from their gifts and talents. As we join the Church in preparing to mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees this weekend, we are grateful for this compassionate step towards assisting our Venezuelan brothers and sisters in need who were forced to flee.”

“TPS is a policy tool designed for situations just like the one facing Venezuelans, who cannot return safely to their home country. We will continue to pray and act for the citizens of other countries who are in need of similar protection, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon,” said Karen Sullivan, director of advocacy at CLINIC.