By Darren Lyn
HOUSTON, United States (AA) - The US Depatment of Homeland Security announced that it will be offering nearly half a million Venezuelan immigrants temporary work permits and deportation protections as part of its evolving immigration policy.
Nearly 242,700 Venezuelan nationals have already been designated temporary protected starus (TPS) in the US. Homeland Security said Wednesday that approximately 472,000 Venezuelan nationals may be eligible under the redesignation which was announced on Wednesday.
“Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in a statement.
The 18-month TPS protection and work permit extensions are only available to Venezuelans grandfathered in under their date of arrival into the US before July 31 of this year.
"However, it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023 are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay,” said Mayorkas.
Homeland Security said the extensions were "warranted based on Venezuela’s increased instability and lack of safety due to the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions."
The announcement comes amid a surge of immigrants at the US-Mexcco border in the past month, with officials estimating that nearly 91,000 people entered the country from the southern border in August.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue to process pending applications filed under the previous TPS designation for Venezuelan nationals