Venezuelans Eligible For TPS And Corresponding Employment Authorization

Eligible Venezuelans in the United States may now apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) according to an announcement made this week by Alexajandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). TPS is granted to individuals who cannot return to their home countries safely. In the case of Venezuela, Secretary Mayorkas stated that the country has been in the midst a "severe political and economic crisis for several years" including a deterioration of democratic institutions, a health crisis, food insecurity, increase in crime and lack of access to basic services. As of now, the TPS designation will last for 18 months until September 9, 2022 and could be extended depending upon the in-country conditions at the time of the next assessment.