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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 5, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9040-9044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02294]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[CIS No. 2804-25]

Termination of the October 3, 2023 Designation of Venezuela for 
Temporary Protected Status

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of 
Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On October 3, 2023, Venezuela was newly designated for 
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) based on the determination that there 
were extraordinary and temporary conditions in that country that 
prevented the safe return of Venezuelan nationals, and that permitting 
such Venezuelan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is 
not contrary to the U.S. national interest. The 2023 designation of 
Venezuela for TPS is set to expire on April 2, 2025. After reviewing 
country

[[Page 9041]]

conditions and considering whether permitting Venezuelan nationals 
covered by the 2023 designation is contrary to the national interest of 
the United States, in consultation with the appropriate U.S. Government 
agencies, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that 
Venezuela no longer continues to meet the conditions for the 2023 
designation. In particular, the Secretary has determined it is contrary 
to the national interest to permit the covered Venezuelan nationals to 
remain temporarily in the United States. The Secretary therefore is 
terminating the 2023 TPS designation of Venezuela. This termination is 
effective April 7, 2025. After April 7, 2025, nationals of Venezuela 
(and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in 
Venezuela) who have been granted TPS under the 2023 Venezuela 
designation will no longer have TPS. This termination determination 
does not apply to the 2021 designation of Venezuela for TPS, which 
remains in effect until September 10, 2025, or to individuals who are 
registered for TPS under the 2021 designation.

DATES: The October 3, 2023 designation of Venezuela for TPS is 
terminated effective at 11:59 p.m., local time, on April 7, 2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samantha Deshommes, Chief, Regulatory 
Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship 
and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 800-375-
5283.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

    The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, after consultation with appropriate agencies of 
the U.S. Government, to designate a foreign state (or part thereof) for 
TPS if the Secretary determines that certain country conditions exist. 
INA 244(b)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1). The determination whether to 
designate any foreign state (or part thereof) for TPS is discretionary, 
and there is no judicial review of ``any determination of the 
[Secretary] with respect to the designation, or termination or 
extension of a designation, of a foreign state'' for TPS. INA 
244(b)(5)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(5)(A). The Secretary, in the 
Secretary's discretion, may then grant TPS to eligible nationals of 
that foreign state (or individuals having no nationality who last 
habitually resided in the designated foreign state). See INA 
244(a)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A).
    At least 60 days before the expiration of a foreign state's TPS 
designation or extension, the Secretary, after consultation with 
appropriate U.S. Government agencies, must review the conditions in the 
foreign state designated for TPS to determine whether they continue to 
meet the conditions for the TPS designation. See INA 244(b)(3)(A), 8 
U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary determines that the conditions 
in the foreign state continue to meet the specific statutory criteria 
for TPS designation, TPS will be extended for an additional period of 6 
months or, in the Secretary's discretion, 12 or 18 months. See INA 
244(b)(3)(A), (C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A), (C). If the Secretary 
determines that the foreign state no longer meets the conditions for 
TPS designation, the Secretary must terminate the designation. See INA 
244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B).
    TPS is a temporary immigration benefit granted to eligible 
nationals of a country designated for TPS under the INA, or to eligible 
aliens without nationality who last habitually resided in the 
designated country. During the TPS designation period, TPS 
beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States, may not be 
removed, and are authorized to work and obtain an Employment 
Authorization Document (EAD) so long as they continue to meet the 
requirements of TPS. TPS beneficiaries may also apply for and be 
granted travel authorization as a matter of discretion. The granting of 
TPS does not result in or lead to lawful permanent resident status or 
any other immigration status. To qualify for TPS, beneficiaries must 
meet the eligibility standards at INA section 244(c)(2), 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(c)(2). When the Secretary terminates a country's TPS designation, 
beneficiaries return to the same immigration status or category that 
they maintained before TPS, if any (unless that status or category has 
since expired or been terminated), or any other lawfully obtained 
immigration status or category they received while registered for TPS, 
as long as it is still valid on the date TPS terminates.

Designation of Venezuela for TPS

    On March 9, 2021, then Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro 
Mayorkas designated Venezuela for TPS based on his determination that 
there existed ``extraordinary and temporary conditions'' in Venezuela 
that prevented nationals of Venezuela from returning in safety and that 
permitting such aliens to remain temporarily in the United States is 
not contrary to the U.S. national interest (Venezuela 2021 
designation). See Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected 
Status and Implementation of Employment Authorization for Venezuelans 
Covered by Deferred Enforced Departure, 86 FR 13574 (Mar. 9, 2021).
    On September 8, 2022, then Secretary Mayorkas extended the 
Venezuela 2021 TPS designation for 18 months. See Extension of the 
Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status, 87 FR 55024 
(Sept. 8, 2022). On October 3, 2023, Secretary Mayorkas extended the 
Venezuela 2021 TPS designation for another 18 months with an expiration 
date of September 10, 2025, and separately newly designated Venezuela 
for 18 months, a decision the former Secretary called a 
``redesignation'' (Venezuela 2023 designation) with an expiration of 
April 2, 2025, resulting in two separate and concurrent Venezuela TPS 
designations. See Extension and Redesignation of Venezuela for 
Temporary Protected Status, 88 FR 68130 (Oct. 3, 2023).
    On January 17, 2025, Secretary Mayorkas issued a notice extending 
the 2023 designation of Venezuela for TPS for 18 months. The notice was 
based on then Secretary Mayorkas's January 10, 2025 determination that 
the conditions for the designation continued to be met. See INA 
244(b)(3)(A), (C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A), (C). In the January 2025 
notice, Secretary Mayorkas did not expressly extend or terminate the 
2021 Venezuela designation. Instead, the notice allowed for a 
consolidation of filing processes such that all eligible Venezuela TPS 
beneficiaries (whether under the 2021 or 2023 designations) could 
obtain TPS through the same extension date of October 2, 2026. See 
Extension of the 2023 Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected 
Status, 90 FR 5961 (Jan. 17, 2025).
    On January 28, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem 
vacated former Secretary Mayorkas's January 10, 2025 decision, 
restoring the status quo that preceded that decision.\1\ Accordingly, a 
determination whether to extend the 2023 Venezuela designation was due 
by February 1, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or 
Department) estimates that approximately 348,202 aliens are eligible 
for TPS under the 2023 Venezuela designation.
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    \1\ See Vacatur of 2025 Temporary Protected Status Decision for 
Venezuela, 88 FR 8805 (Feb. 3, 2025).
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Secretary's Authority To Terminate the 2023 Designation of Venezuela 
for TPS

    At least 60 days before the expiration of a country's TPS 
designation or extension, the Secretary, after

[[Page 9042]]

consultation with appropriate Government agencies, must review the 
conditions in a foreign state designated for TPS to determine whether 
the conditions for the TPS designation continue to be met. See INA 
section 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary 
determines that the foreign state no longer meets the conditions for 
TPS designation, the Secretary must terminate the designation, but such 
termination may not take effect earlier than 60 days after the date the 
Federal Register notice of termination is published, or if later, the 
expiration of the most recent previous extension of the country 
designation. See INA section 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B). The 
Secretary may determine the appropriate effective date of the 
termination and the expiration of any TPS-related documentation, such 
as EADs. See id.; see also INA 244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3) 
(providing the Secretary the discretionary ``option'' to allow for a 
certain ``orderly transition'' period if she determines it to be 
appropriate).

Reasons for the Secretary's Termination of the 2023 TPS Designation for 
Venezuela

    Consistent with section 244(b)(3)(A) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(b)(3)(A), after consulting with appropriate U.S. Government 
agencies, DHS reviewed conditions in Venezuela and considered whether 
permitting the Venezuelan nationals to remain temporarily in the United 
States is contrary to the national interest of the United States.\2\
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    \2\ See also E.O. 14159, Protecting the American People Against 
Invasion, sec. 16(b), 90 FR 8443, 8446 (Jan. 20, 2025) (directing 
that the Secretary should ``ensur[e] that designations of Temporary 
Protected Status are consistent with the provisions of section 244 
of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1254a), and that such designations are 
appropriately limited in scope and made for only so long as may be 
necessary to fulfill the textual requirements of that statute'').
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    The Department, in consultation with the Department of State, has 
reviewed conditions in Venezuela and has considered whether permitting 
Venezuelan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is 
contrary to the U.S. national interest. Overall, certain conditions for 
the 2023 TPS designation of Venezuela may continue; however, there are 
notable improvements in several areas such as the economy, public 
health, and crime that allow for these nationals to be safely returned 
to their home country.
    Based on the Department's review, the Secretary has determined 
that, even assuming the relevant conditions in Venezuela remain both 
``extraordinary'' and ``temporary,'' termination of the 2023 Venezuela 
TPS designation is required because it is contrary to the national 
interest to permit the Venezuelan nationals (or aliens having no 
nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela) to remain 
temporarily in the United States.\3\
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    \3\ See INS v. Bagamasbad, 429 U.S. 24, 25 (1976) (per curiam) 
(``As a general rule courts and agencies are not required to make 
findings on issues the decision of which is unnecessary to the 
results they reach.'').
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    In the TPS statute, Congress expressly prohibits the Secretary from 
designating a country for TPS or extending a TPS designation if she 
finds that ``permitting the aliens to remain temporarily in the United 
States is contrary to the national interest of the United States.'' INA 
244(b)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1). Accordingly, as the Department and the 
Attorney General have long recognized, such a ``national interest'' 
assessment is an essential element of a determination whether to extend 
or terminate the 2023 Venezuela designation, which was based on 
``extraordinary and temporary conditions.'' \4\
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    \4\ Cf., e.g., Termination of Designation of Liberia Under 
Temporary Protected Status Program After Final 6-Month Extension, 63 
FR 15437, 15438 (Mar. 31, 1998) (terminating Liberia TPS designation 
after ``consultations with the appropriate agencies of the U.S. 
Government concerning (a) the conditions in Liberia; and (b) whether 
permitting nationals of Liberia . . . to remain temporarily in the 
United States is contrary to the national interest of the United 
States'').
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    ``National interest'' is an expansive standard that may encompass 
an array of broad considerations, including foreign policy, public 
safety (e.g., potential nexus to criminal gang membership), national 
security, migration factors (e.g., pull factors), immigration policy 
(e.g., enforcement prerogatives), and economic considerations (e.g., 
adverse effects on U.S. workers, impact on U.S. communities).\5\ 
Determining whether permitting a class of aliens to remain temporarily 
in the United States is contrary to the U.S. national interest 
therefore calls upon the Secretary's expertise and discretionary 
judgment, informed by her consultations with appropriate U.S. 
Government agencies.
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    \5\ See, e.g., Poursina v. USCIS, 936 F.3d 868, 874 (9th Cir. 
2019) (observing, in an analogous INA context, ``that the `national 
interest' standard invokes broader economic and national-security 
considerations, and such determinations are firmly committed to the 
discretion of the Executive Branch--not to federal courts'' (citing 
Trump v. Hawaii, 585 U.S. 667, 684-86 (2018)); Flores v. Garland, 72 
F.4th 85, 89-90 (5th Cir. 2023) (same); Brasil v. Sec'y, Dep't of 
Homeland Sec., 28 F.4th 1189, 1193 (11th Cir. 2022) (same); cf. 
Matter of D-J-, 23 I&N Dec. 572, 579-81 (A.G. 2003) (recognizing 
that taking measures to stem and eliminate possible incentives for 
potential large-scale migration from a given country is ``sound 
immigration policy'' and an ``important national security 
interest''); Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884, 890-91 (AAO 2016) 
(taking into account impact on U.S. workers in ``national interest'' 
assessments).
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    President Trump in his recent, immigration and border-related 
executive orders and proclamations clearly articulated an array of 
policy imperatives bearing upon the national interest. First, the 
President directed the Secretary to terminate, as contrary to the 
policy of the United States, the parole program known as the 
``Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans'' 
(CHNV). The parole process for Venezuelans had been in effect since 
October 19, 2022, allowing hundreds of thousands of inadmissible 
Venezuelans to enter the United States at interior ports of entry and 
remain in this country, generally for a period of two years, with 
employment authorization eligibility.\6\ DHS estimates that 33,600 CHNV 
parolees from Venezuela availed themselves of TPS. Venezuelan CHNV 
parolees, along with Venezuelan nationals who crossed illegally into 
the United States, who had been continuously residing in the United 
States since July 31, 2023, and continuously present in the United 
States since October 3, 2023, were able to secure TPS and TPS-based 
employment authorization under the 2023 Venezuela designation.
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    \6\ See Implementation of a Parole Process for Venezuelans, 87 
FR 63507 (Oct. 19, 2022); see also Implementation of Changes to the 
Parole Process for Venezuelans, 88 FR 1279 (Jan. 9, 2023).
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    TPS has allowed a significant population of inadmissible or illegal 
aliens without a path to lawful immigration status to settle in the 
interior of the United States, and the sheer numbers have resulted in 
associated difficulties in local communities where local resources have 
been inadequate to meet the demands caused by increased numbers. Among 
these Venezuelan nationals who have crossed into the United States are 
members of the Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua.\7\ Tren de Agua 
has been blamed for sex trafficking, drug smuggling, police shootings, 
kidnappings, and the exploitation of migrants. The United States has 
sanctioned the gang and placed it on a list of transnational criminal 
organizations.\8\ In Executive Order 14157, Designating Cartels and 
Other

[[Page 9043]]

Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially 
Designated Global Terrorists, the President determined that Tren de 
Aragua's campaign of violence and terror poses threats to the United 
States.\9\ The Secretary accordingly has considered these important 
immigration and national interests in terminating the Venezuela parole 
process.
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    \7\ Joshua Goodman, Tren de Aragua gang started in Venezuela's 
prisons and now spreads fear in the US, Associated Press, Sept. 24, 
2024, available at: https://apnews.com/article/tren-de-aragua-gang-venezuela-us-a12c8fee9dc4a0ca73769ea893e09e53 (last accessed Jan. 
28, 2025).
    \8\ Joshua Goodman, US sanctions a Venezuela gang for spreading 
criminal activity across Latin America, Associated Press, July 11, 
2024, available at: https://apnews.com/article/washington-venezuela-gang-sanctions-f742f6966d160ee80b703ed419dfdac3 (last accessed Jan. 
30, 2025).
    \9\ 90 FR 8439 (Jan. 20, 2025).
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    Second, President Trump observed, referring to CHNV and other 
policies and processes, that ``[o]ver the last 4 years, the prior 
administration invited, administered, and oversaw an unprecedented 
flood of illegal immigration into the United States,'' including 
millions who crossed U.S. borders or were allowed to fly to a U.S. air 
port of entry and allowed to settle in American communities.\10\ The 
prolonged presence of these aliens in the United States ``has cost 
taxpayers billions of dollars at the Federal, State, and local 
levels.'' \11\ For example, over 180,000 illegal aliens have settled in 
New York City, approximating that this will cost the city $10.6 billion 
through the summer of 2025.\12\ Additionally, although mayors from 
cities across the United States are attempting to accommodate 
Venezuelan illegal aliens, city shelters, police stations, and aid 
services are at a maximum capacity.\13\
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    \10\ E.O. 14159, Protecting the American People Against 
Invasion, sec. 1, 90 FR 8443, 8443 (Jan. 20, 2025).
    \11\ Id.
    \12\ The Cost of the Border Crisis, Testimony before the House 
Budget Committee of Julie Kirchner the Executive Director, 
Federation for American Immigration Reform (May 8, 2024), available 
at: https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/house/117257/witnesses/HHRG-118-BU00-Wstate-KirchnerJ-20240508.pdf (last accessed Jan. 30, 
2025).
    \13\ Center for Strategic & International Studies, The 
Persistence of the Venezuelan Migrant and Refugee Crisis (Nov. 27, 
2023), available at: https://www.csis.org/analysis/persistence-venezuelan-migrant-and-refugee-crisis (last accessed Jan. 30, 2025).
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    The President underscored that enforcing the immigration laws ``is 
critically important to the national security and public safety of the 
United States.'' \14\ In furtherance of that objective, the President 
directed the Secretary, along with the Attorney General and Secretary 
of State, to promptly take all appropriate action, consistent with law, 
to rescind policies that led to increased or continued presence of 
illegal aliens in the United States.\15\ Among the directed actions are 
to ensure that the TPS designations are consistent with the TPS statute 
and ``are appropriately limited in scope and made for only so long as 
may be necessary to fulfill the textual requirements of that statute.'' 
\16\ The Department accordingly has reappraised the national interest 
factors and given strong consideration to the serious national 
security, border enforcement, public safety, immigration policy, and 
economic and public welfare concerns engendered by illegal immigration 
of Venezuelans, which the President, DHS, and other federal agencies 
are seeking to stem through other policy actions.
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    \14\ E.O. 14159, Protecting the American People Against 
Invasion, sec. 1, 90 FR 8443, 8443 (Jan. 20, 2025).
    \15\ Id., sec. 16, 90 FR 8446.
    \16\ Id., sec. 16(b), 90 FR 8446.
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    Third, President Trump declared a national emergency at the 
southern border.\17\ As the Attorney General and DHS have long 
understood, the potential ``magnet effect'' of a TPS determination is a 
permissible factor under the TPS statute, especially with respect to a 
redesignation.\18\ The same is true for Venezuela.\19\ The anticipated 
designation or extension for TPS and resulting benefit to access EAD 
have been pull factors driving Venezuelan nationals to the United 
States.\20\ In October 2023, DHS stated that there were approximately 
243,000 Venezuela TPS beneficiaries, while also estimating that 
approximately 472,000 additional aliens may be eligible under the 
October 3, 2023 designation.\21\ Currently, DHS estimates that 348,202 
aliens are registered under the 2023 designation.
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    \17\ Proc. 10886, Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern 
Border of the United States, 90 FR 8327 (Jan. 20, 2025).
    \18\ See Extension of Designation and Redesignation of Liberia 
Under Temporary Protected Status Program, 62 FR 16608, 16609 (Apr. 
7, 1997) (``One factor in determining whether redesignation is 
appropriate is whether it will create a `magnet effect' for 
nationals of the country under consideration. In cases where the 
Attorney General contemplates redesignation, she may consider this 
possible magnet effect and any other factors weighing against 
redesignation, together with any discretionary factors in favor of 
redesignation.'').
    \19\ See, e.g., Center for Strategic & International Studies, 
The Persistence of the Venezuelan Migrant and Refugee Crisis (Nov. 
27, 2023), available at: https://www.csis.org/analysis/persistence-venezuelan-migrant-and-refugee-crisis (last accessed Jan. 30, 2025).
    \20\ See id.
    \21\ 88 FR 68134.
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    Fourth, as the President directed in Executive Order 14150, ``the 
foreign policy of the United States shall champion core American 
interests and always put America and American citizens first.'' \22\ 
Continuing to permit Venezuelans under the 2023 TPS designation to 
remain in the United States does not champion core American interests 
or put American interests first. U.S. foreign policy interests, 
particularly in the Western Hemisphere, are best served and protected 
by curtailing policies that facilitate or encourage illegal and 
destabilizing migration.\23\
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    \22\ America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State, 
90 FR 8337 (Jan. 20, 2025).
    \23\ See U.S. Dep't of State, Priorities and Mission of the 
Second Trump Administration's Department of State (Jan. 24, 2025), 
available at https://pa.usembassy.gov/priorities-and-mission-of-the-second-trump-administrations-department-of-state/.
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    In making this finding and determination regarding the national 
interest, the Secretary also has taken into account the national-
interest-related factors that were presented to former Secretary 
Mayorkas for his consideration for purposes of his now-vacated January 
10, 2025 decision. However, especially in view of President Trump's 
Executive Orders relating to immigration and after consulting with the 
Department of State, the Secretary has reached a different conclusion 
and has determined that permitting such Venezuelan nationals (and 
aliens with no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela) to 
remain in the United States is in fact contrary to the national 
interest, as is the Secretary's authority and prerogative under the 
statute.\24\
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    \24\ See Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass'n of U.S., Inc. v. State Farm 
Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 463 U.S. 29, 59 (Rehnquist, J., concurring in 
part) (``A change in administration brought about by the people 
casting their votes is a perfectly reasonable basis for an executive 
agency's reappraisal of the costs and benefits of its programs and 
regulations. As long as the agency remains within the bounds 
established by Congress, it is entitled to assess administrative 
records and evaluate priorities in light of the philosophy of the 
administration.'').
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Effective Date of Termination of 2023 Designation

    The TPS statute provides that the termination of a country's TPS 
designation may not be effective earlier than 60 days after the Federal 
Register notice is published or, if later, the expiration of the most 
recent previous extension. See INA 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(b)(3)(B). As noted, the expiration date of the 2023 Venezuela 
designation is 60 days from the date of publication of this notice.
    The Secretary may determine the appropriate effective date of the 
termination and the expiration of any TPS-related documentation, such 
as EADs, for the purpose of providing for an orderly transition. See 
id.; INA 244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3). Given the Secretary's finding 
that continuing to permit such Venezuelan nationals to remain 
temporarily in the United States is contrary to the U.S. national 
interest, and considering the relative recency of the designation (Oct. 
3, 2023), the Secretary has determined that it is not

[[Page 9044]]

appropriate to allow for a further transition period. Accordingly, the 
termination of the October 3, 2023 Venezuela TPS designation will be 
effective 60 days from the date of publication of this notice.\25\
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    \25\ See 8 CFR 244.19 (``Upon the termination of designation of 
a foreign state, those nationals afforded temporary Protected Status 
shall, upon the sixtieth (60th) day after the date notice of 
termination is published in the Federal Register, or on the last day 
of the most recent extension of designation by the [Secretary of 
Homeland Security], automatically and without further notice or 
right of appeal, lose Temporary Protected Status in the United 
States. Such termination of a foreign state's designation is not 
subject to appeal.'').
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    The Secretary has considered putative reliance interests in the 
2023 Venezuela TPS designation, especially when considering whether to 
allow for an additional transition period akin to that allowed under 
certain previous TPS terminations. Temporary Protected Status, as the 
name itself makes clear, is an inherently temporary status, TPS 
designations are time-limited and must be periodically reviewed, TPS 
notices clearly notify aliens of the designations' expiration dates, 
and whether to allow for an orderly transition period is left to the 
Secretary's unfettered discretion. See INA 244(b)(3), (d)(3); 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(b)(3), (d)(3). Any putative reliance interests of registrants 
under the Venezuela 2023 designation therefore merit only diminished 
weight. Moreover, any such putative reliance interests are outweighed 
by the overriding, important national interest considerations described 
in this notice.\26\
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    \26\ DHS recognizes that certain previous TPS terminations 
allowed for an extended transition, especially in the case of TPS 
designations that had been extended numerous times over the course 
of many years. See, e.g., Termination of the Designation of El 
Salvador for Temporary Protected Status, 83 FR 2654 (Jan. 18, 2018) 
(nearly 17 years, with 18-month transition period); Termination of 
the Designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status, 82 FR 47228 
(Oct. 11, 2017) (20 years, with 12-month orderly transition period); 
Termination of the Designation of Sierra Leone Under the Temporary 
Protected Status Program; Extension of Employment Authorization 
Documentation, 68 FR 52407 (Sept. 3, 2003) (nearly 6 years, with 6-
month orderly transition period); Six-Month Extension of Temporary 
Protected Status Benefits for Orderly Transition Before Termination 
of Liberia's Designation for Temporary Protected Status, 81 FR 66059 
(Sept. 26, 2016) (nearly 2 years, with 6-month orderly transition 
period). Those countries, however, generally had been designated for 
TPS for longer periods, and none of those terminations were based on 
a determination that allowing the aliens to remain temporarily in 
the United States is contrary to the U.S. national interest. At the 
same time, certain other TPS designations were terminated without 
allowing for an extended transition period. See, e.g., Termination 
of Designation of Angola Under the Temporary Protected Status 
Program, 68 FR 3896 (Jan. 27, 2003) (nearly 3 years, no orderly 
transition period); Termination of Designation of Lebanon Under 
Temporary Protected Status Program, 58 FR 7582 (Feb. 8, 1993) (2 
years, no extended transition period).
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Venezuelan Nationals Registered Under the 2021 Venezuela Designation

    Although unorthodox, the prior Administration issued two separate 
designations of Venezuela. See 88 FR 68130 (Oct. 3, 2023); 86 FR 13574 
(Mar. 9, 2021). In this notice, DHS is terminating only the October 3, 
2023 Venezuela TPS designation. The 2021 Venezuela TPS designation 
remains in effect until September 10, 2025.

Notice of Termination of the 2023 TPS Designation of Venezuela

    By the authority vested in the Secretary of Homeland Security under 
section 244(b)(3) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3), I have reviewed, in 
consultation with appropriate agencies of the U.S. Government, (a) 
conditions in Venezuela; and (b) whether permitting the nationals of 
Venezuela (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided 
in Venezuela) to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to 
the national interest of the United States. Based on my review, I have 
determined that Venezuela no longer continues to meet the conditions 
for the October 3, 2023 designation for Temporary Protected Status 
(TPS) under section 244(b)(1)(C) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C).
    Accordingly, I order as follows:
    (1) Pursuant to INA section 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B), 
and considering INA section 244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3), the 
October 3, 2023 designation of Venezuela for TPS is terminated 
effective at 11:59 p.m., local time, on April 7, 2025.
    (2) This notice supersedes the January 17, 2025 notice at 90 FR 
5961, the underlying decision for which was vacated on January 28, 
2025.
    (3) Information concerning the termination of TPS for nationals of 
Venezuela (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided 
in Venezuela) under the October 3, 2023 designation will be available 
at local USCIS offices upon publication of this notice and through the 
USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. This 
information will be published on the USCIS website at www.USCIS.gov.

Kristi Noem,
Secretary of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2025-02294 Filed 2-3-25; 12:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P
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