If you are a national of Venezuela or Syria and currently hold, or previously held, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), upcoming policy changes in 2025 could affect your right to remain or work in the United States.
At Smit Law Group, our Reno-based immigration team advocates for individuals and families in Washoe County and throughout Western Nevada. We understand how changes in immigration laws and policies can deeply affect your ability to work, support your family, and plan your future in the United States. If you’re unsure how these changes may impact you, we can help you understand your options.
In this article, we’ll explain the key policy changes ahead, describe how they may affect your rights, work authorization, and opportunities in the U.S., and outline the steps you should consider now.
What Is Temporary Protected Status and Why Does It Matter for You
Many clients ask what TPS actually protects them from and how it interacts with work authorization and removal proceedings. TPS, or Temporary Protected Status, is a humanitarian benefit created under federal law, found in Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1254a). It was created to provide relief to foreign nationals in the U.S. when returning home safely is not viable due to extraordinary circumstances.
Under TPS, the Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country when armed conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary conditions prevent safe return, and when permitting those nationals to remain temporarily in the U.S. serves the national interest.
If you qualify for TPS for a designated country, you:
- Are protected from removal (deportation) during the designated period if you maintain eligibility.
- May apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to work legally in the U.S.
- TPS is temporary and does not lead to a Green Card or citizenship; a separate eligible status is required.
Understanding Designation and Redesignation
TPS Designation vs Redesignation: What You Need To Know
A designation occurs when the Department of Homeland Security first declares a country eligible for TPS because conditions make return unsafe. A redesignation occurs when DHS reassesses and permits new applicants who arrived after the initial cut-off to apply under new eligibility dates.
Knowing whether you fall under the original designation or a redesignation affects your registration deadlines, your EAD category (A12 for redesignation or C19 for initial designation), and your next steps.
TPS can serve as a temporary bridge for those who cannot safely return home. Recent 2025 policy shifts for nationals of Venezuela and Syria make it critical to understand how these changes apply to you and your family.
2025 Changes for Nationals of Syria
Key Facts
- The designation for Syria will terminate under a notice published on September 22, 2025, effective 11:59 p.m. local time on November 21, 2025 (90 FR 45398).
- On September 19, 2025, DHS formally announced that Syria’s TPS designation would terminate following its review of country conditions.
- After November 21, 2025, Syrian nationals and stateless individuals who last habitually resided in Syria will no longer have TPS protection unless they hold or obtain another lawful status.
For official details and eligibility information, visit the USCIS Temporary Protected Status page for Syria.
What This Means for Syrian Nationals
If you are a Syrian national in the U.S. under TPS:
- Review your status now. TPS for Syria ends November 21, 2025, unless you have another valid status.
- Your EAD expires at the same time (or earlier if any automatic extensions end).
- If you do not apply for a different lawful immigration status by November 21, 2025, your TPS will end and you could be subject to removal.
- Nevada employers with Syrian TPS workers should verify employment eligibility on or after November 22, 2025, and ensure timely I-9 updates and E-Verify re-verification to remain compliant.
If you have a pending asylum or family-based case, TPS expiration may not require you to depart. Consult your attorney to determine whether you qualify for relief and how to maintain lawful presence.
Options Going Forward
For Syrian nationals in Western Nevada:
- Determine if you qualify for another status (such as family-based petition, asylum, or employment adjustment).
- Gather your records early, including proof of residence, pending applications, and identification documents, so your attorney can assess your eligibility before TPS expires.
- Contact a Reno immigration attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options and plan the next steps to stay lawfully in the United States.
2025 Changes for Nationals of Venezuela
Key Facts
- Venezuela was first designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on March 9, 2021, and redesignated on October 3, 2023.
- DHS extended the 2023 designation for 18 months, effective April 3, 2025, through October 2, 2026.
- The original 2021 designation terminates on November 7, 2025, according to the DHS termination notice issued September 3, 2025.
- Ongoing litigation and policy review may still affect individual cases and automatic EAD extensions.
What This Means for Venezuelan Nationals
If you live in Nevada or anywhere in the United States:
- If you were covered under the 2021 designation but did not re-register under the 2023 redesignation, your TPS protections end at 11:59 p.m. local time on November 7, 2025.
- If you re-registered under the 2023 redesignation and were approved, you remain protected until October 2, 2026, though this may change depending on ongoing litigation or future DHS actions.
- Review your Form I-821, Form I-765, EAD codes, and expiration dates to confirm your coverage and authorization periods.
- Losing TPS also means losing work authorization unless you secure another lawful status before your current designation ends.
What to Watch For
Employers, including those in Nevada, should monitor employee EAD expiration dates and complete required I-9 and E-Verify re-verifications on time to remain compliant with federal law. Because TPS litigation remains active, monitor USCIS and DHS announcements regularly and consult a Reno immigration attorney to understand how any policy changes may affect your status or eligibility for future relief.
Federal and Nevada Legal Considerations for TPS Holders
Federal Framework
Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (see 8 U.S.C. § 1254a) authorizes DHS to designate, extend, or terminate TPS. Regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 244 require DHS to review country conditions at least 60 days before any decision.
When TPS ends, a person reverts to their prior status (if any) or becomes undocumented and subject to removal. This underscores why obtaining another lawful status before TPS termination is critical.
Nevada-Specific Context
Although immigration is federal, local employment/verification differences may matter:
- TPS holders in Western Nevada should review their status with a Reno immigration attorney. Local employment records and community ties may influence available relief.
- Nevada employers must maintain I-9 and E-Verify compliance when TPS expires.
- Those eligible through a U.S. citizen family member or employer should consider adjustment of status or asylum while TPS remains valid.
At Smit Law Group, we help individuals and families across Western Nevada understand their options and protect their rights as TPS protections and immigration laws evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will I have to leave the U.S. when Syria’s TPS ends?
Not necessarily. If you hold another lawful status (such as a pending family-based petition or asylum claim), you may remain. If TPS is your only status, you may face removal after November 21, 2025.
2. I am a Venezuelan national under the 2021 designation. What happens on November 7, 2025?
If you did not re-register under the 2023 redesignation, your protections end on that date unless you qualify for another status.
3. Can I apply for a Green Card if I have TPS?
TPS alone does not lead to permanent residency, but you may qualify through a family member or employer. Your Green Card path eligibility depends on your specific circumstances.
4. My employer in Reno has workers with TPS. What should they do?
Employers in Nevada and across the United States should audit their I-9 records and plan for re-verification deadlines to remain compliant.
5. I speak Spanish and feel confused by these changes. What’s the first step?
Schedule a flat-fee consultation with a Reno removal defense attorney at Smit Law Group to review your TPS status, EAD dates, and any pending applications. ¿Hablas español? ¡Nosotros también! Our team proudly serves the Spanish-speaking community. Call today or fill out our contact form for legal help in your preferred language.
What You Should Do Now
Gather Your Documents
- TPS approval notice (Form I-797) or USCIS correspondence
- EAD (Form I-766) and expiration dates
- Pending applications (Form I-130, I-485, I-589, etc.)
- Proof of continuous residence and entry records
Determine which TPS designation or redesignation you are covered under (for example, Venezuela - 2021, Venezuela - 2023 redesignation, or Syria designation). Schedule a consultation today with Smit Law Group in Reno to evaluate your applicable deadlines, plan your next steps, and protect your status and your future.
Talk with Your Employer’s HR or Legal Department
Confirm your work authorization and any re-verification requirements to ensure your employment remains uninterrupted and compliant.
Explore Other Immigration Paths
- Family-based petitions through a U.S. citizen spouse, fiancé, parent, or child
- Employment-based visas or investor routes
- Asylum if you fear persecution
- Adjustment of status under an existing petition
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status or other relief, if eligible
Do Not Delay
Deadlines are approaching quickly. If your TPS expires and you lack alternative status, your work authorization will end, and you will become subject to immediate removal.
Why Now Matters
The TPS deadlines in 2025 carry significant consequences. If you are from Venezuela or Syria and live in Nevada, this is the critical time to review your status. With Syria’s TPS ending November 21, 2025, and Venezuela’s 2023 redesignation changes, acting now can make a difference in your ability to remain and work lawfully in the U.S.
If you live in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, or elsewhere in Western Nevada, contact a Reno deportation defense attorney at Smit Law Group to discuss your options and plan a path forward that protects your rights and your future.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. For guidance specific to your situation, please contact our firm directly.