The economic and political situation in Venezuela has resulted in food shortages, human rights violations and unemployment. The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has prompted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to announce that Venezuela has been added to the list for Temporary Protection Status (TPS) in the United States of America.
This opportunity will exist for 18 months and is scheduled to run through September 9, 2022. The 180-day registration time frame began March 9, 2021. Eligible candidates are encouraged to start the application process as soon as possible.
What is TPS?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status given to eligible Venezuelans, which allows them to migrate to the United States.
What is DED?
Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) protects Venezuelan immigrants from being deported. President Trump issued a memorandum on January 19, 2021, that gave DED and EAD status to Venezuelans. This essentially guarantees Venezuelans the right to work and live temporarily in the United States without fear of deportation.
What is EAD?
An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) gives eligible Venezuelan immigrants with TPS the ability to legally work while in the United States.
How long does it take?
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the processing time from the initial application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is currently about six months. The application for Employment Authorization (EAD) is approximately three months. DED is automatically applied with TPS status.
It is important to self-educate about the rights and obligations under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Federal Register has published a lot of helpful information on its website.
These new provisions can be a complicated and confusing process. To make sure that your rights are protected and your application is properly prepared, it may be beneficial to have legal representation that is experienced in family-based immigration.