Biden Administration's Familiar Tool: Temporary Status for Venezuelans

The Biden administration has announced temporary legal status for approximately 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the United States as of July 31, expanding the use of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). While critics argue that this move may incentivize more Venezuelans to attempt illegal entry, many Venezuelans cite dire conditions at home as their motivation for migrating. The ongoing political, social, and economic crisis in Venezuela has pushed millions into poverty, with teachers, professors, and public employees struggling to make ends meet. The recent TPS announcement adds to the more than 242,000 Venezuelans already covered under TPS grants in 2021 and 2022. The Biden administration's expansion of TPS has faced criticism, but it highlights the need for comprehensive changes to the U.S. immigration system.