On February 1, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the 2023 designation for Venezuela. As such, TPS and related benefits associated with the 2023 designation will end on April 7, 2025. Estimates report that this decision affects more than 607,000 Venezuelans eligible for these protections.

The decision to rescind TPS benefits contradicts Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent statements on the oppressiveness of President Maduro’s regime in Venezuela that imprisons and tortures its population. Accordingly, the decision to rescind TPS for Venezuela faces legal challenges in federal courts.

Similarly, on February 20, 2025, DHS partially vacated the July 1, 2024, TPS redesignation for Haiti, amending the period of extension and redesignation from 18 months to 12 months. As such, TPS and related benefits associated with the 2023 designation will end on August 3, 2025. The initial registration period for new applicants under the redesignation remains in effect through August 3, 2025. Currently, more than 200,000 Haitians live with TPS benefits in the United States.

Like Venezuela, the country conditions in Haiti remain abhorrent, with reports reflecting thousands of individuals dying due to gang violence, and armed groups engaging in kidnapping, sexual assault, and indiscriminate killing. The decision to terminate TPS for Haitians is also being challenged in federal court.