Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Certain Venezuelans

“The Trump Administration has taken a significant and much-needed step to help Venezuelan nationals residing in the U.S.,” says United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio. “Venezuela remains a nation in crisis as Maduro’s narco-terrorist regime continues to commit senseless acts of violence against the Venezuelan people. America remains a beacon of hope and freedom for many, and now eligible Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. will receive much-needed temporary immigration relief thanks to the Trump Administration.”

Donald Trump grants Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to Venezuelans in the United States with work permits, social security, and drivers licenses for 18 months

The White House said in a memo released Tuesday January 19, 2021 that it is approving Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Venezuelans. Recipients of the deferral will be able to live and work in the U.S., similar to those protected under a temporary protected status (TPS).

DED provides a temporary administrative stay of removal for nationals from Presidentially-designated countries, and has historically been implemented in cases of natural disasters, war, and even “widespread civil strife.” It does not provide status pursuant to federal immigration law but does enable an individual to legally work in the country for the duration of the designation.

The United States will defer for 18 months the removal of any national of Venezuela, or alien without nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela, who is present in the United States as of January 20, 2021, and to authorize employment for aliens whose removal has been deferred, except for aliens who:

• Have voluntarily returned to Venezuela or their country of last habitual residence outside the United States;
• Have not continuously resided in the United States since January 20, 2021;
• Are inadmissible under section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) or removable under section 237(a)(4) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(4));
• Who have been convicted of any felony or 2 or more misdemeanors committed in the United States, or who meet the criteria set forth in section 208(b)(2)(A) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A));
• Who were deported, excluded, or removed, prior to January 20, 2021;
• Who are subject to extradition;
• Whose presence in the United States the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined is not in the interest of the United States or presents a danger to public safety; or
• Whose presence in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Experienced Immigration Lawyers in Orlando

Contact us today to schedule a consultation to confirm that you are elegible for protection under the Venezuelan DED.