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WR Immigration News Digest

Feb 13, 2025 | Immigration Updates

DHS Terminates 2023 Venezuela TPS, 2021 Designation Still Valid

On February 5, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals under the 2023 designation, effective April 7, 2025. This does not affect Venezuelan nationals covered under the 2021 TPS designation, which remains valid until September 10, 2025. A legal challenge to the termination of the 2023 designation is anticipated, which may impact future developments.

Impact: Global mobility teams should review the status of affected employees and prepare for potential changes in work authorization.

Trump Offers U.S. Refuge to South Africa’s Afrikaners Amid Aid Cut

On February 7, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order halting foreign aid to South Africa and directing priority resettlement for Afrikaner refugees facing government-sponsored racial discrimination, including property confiscation. The order instructs the Departments of State and Homeland Security to prioritize Afrikaners for admission through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. However, some Afrikaner groups have expressed their desire to remain in South Africa.

Impact: Global mobility teams should monitor this development for potential impacts on refugee admissions and resettlement processes, particularly for affected employees or candidates.

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Global Newsletter

In this look around the globe, find the latest immigration news regarding Brazil’s re-introduction of visa requirements, Canada’s announcement of new post-graduation work permit measures and the UK’s upcoming electronic travel authorization scheme. But first, we start with this month’s WReview and WR Updates. WReview: Working as a Tourist? Challenges and Risks of Short-Term Assignments and Business Travel With the complexities and time involved in obtaining a work visa many clients ask us why their employees can’t simply travel for work on a tourist visa or visa waiver basis. While this may seem like an easy and expedient option, it is unfortunately fraught with risks for both the traveler and the company involved. Depending on the rules of the country the employee is traveling to, even short-term business travel to perform activities such as giving training, conducting an audit, or installing or troubleshooting a system or product, may require a work visa. If the employee is detected traveling without the appropriate work visa, the best-case scenario is that they will simply be denied entry, detained briefly at the airport, and sent back to their home country on the next available flight. Note that even in such a scenario, they may […]

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WR Immigration News Digest

DHS Pauses Humanitarian Parole Programs On January 23, 2025, USCIS paused various humanitarian parole programs for review following an order from DHS leadership. The suspension affects programs for Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. The DHS directive halts new and renewal applications under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program, though it is not officially terminated. Practitioners advise Ukrainians in the U.S. to stay informed and avoid international travel due to stricter reentry policies. Additionally, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem canceled the latest Venezuelan TPS extension, ending it by April 1 or September 10, 2025, depending on arrival dates, affecting over 300,000 Venezuelans. Impact: The suspension of humanitarian parole programs and the cancellation of Venezuelan TPS extensions have significant implications if impacted employees are unable to obtain alternative status and work authorization.  Employers should connect with outside counsel for guidance. CBP Clarifies Advance Parole Guidance; Practitioners Urge Caution On January 22, 2025, CBP clarified that the executive order terminating categorical parole programs does not affect individuals with valid Form I-512 (advance parole) or those processed for Significant Public Benefit Parole. However, immigration practitioners urge caution for travelers. Employees should maintain their underlying visa status, prioritize H or L visas for reentry and […]

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