The Biden administration announced Monday that the Department of Homeland Security would grant temporary protection status (TPS) to Venezuelans currently living in the US. This designation is expected to apply to roughly two-thirds of Venezuelans currently in the US as of March 8.
The TPS program provides for 18 months of legal protections for Venezuelans in the US, giving them the freedom to live, work, obtain Social Security numbers, and claim tax credits and subsidies on health insurance. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated in 2019 that around 300,000 Venezuelans are currently in the US either in legal nonimmigrant status or without legal status. Of those, the CBO estimated that 200,000 individuals could receive TPS, provided they apply and meet eligibility requirements.
