The US government has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 600,000 Venezuelans legally living in the country. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced this on Fox News Sunday. She said those under TPS can now apply for refugee status in the US. Noem defended ending the Biden-era TPS, saying, “Venezuela today is more free than it was yesterday.” She added, "Every individual that was under TPS has the opportunity to apply for refugee status. We need to make sure that our programs actually mean something, and that we’re following the law.” This announcement came after US military forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Noem said the US wants a Venezuelan leader who will cooperate against drug trafficking and terrorism. TPS was first set to end in 2021 under the Biden administration and was called “contrary to the US national interest.” The decision has triggered concern, especially in Florida, where over half of Venezuelan TPS holders live. Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins called the end of TPS “reckless, dangerous, and wrong,” pushing for its return. Some Venezuelans in Miami celebrated Maduro's capture, while others stayed home fearing deportation raids. Adelys Ferro from the Venezuelan-American Caucus said, "We are victims of the Nicolás Maduro regime, but we are also victims of the Trump administration policies." Temporary Protected Status is a US immigration program that temporarily allows people from countries facing conflict or disasters to live and work in the US. It does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. Now, Venezuelans losing TPS can try refugee status to remain legally but still face the risk of deportation.