Venezuelan TPS: What’s Next for Workers and Employers

Derek Lawson

Alright, let’s dig into what’s happening with Venezuelan TPS. So, the U.S. Supreme Court recently gave the green light to end deportation protections and work permits for more than 350,000 Venezuelan migrants. This decision affects Temporary Protected Status holders, who have been a critical part of the U.S. workforce for years. To give you some perspective, most TPS work authorizations for Venezuelans will expire by September 10, 2025. There’s a smaller subset of about 5,000 protected until October 2026, but the clock is ticking for everyone.

Elena Porter

Right, and these aren’t just numbers. This is huge for the people affected—and for their employers. I mean, imagine running a business where most of your staff might literally not be allowed to work in the next two years. It’s mind-boggling.

Derek Lawson

Absolutely. Employers across industries need to prepare now. And we’re talking big industries here—hospitality, construction, healthcare. These workers, they’re filling roles that are already hard to staff.

Elena Porter

Totally. And let me tell you about the restaurant owner I met in New York, who has a massive Venezuelan community. So, his name’s Daniel, and he runs this small chain of restaurants and markets. About seventy percent of his staff—seventy percent—are Venezuelan TPS holders.

Derek Lawson

Wow, that’s a staggering number.

Elena Porter

I know, right? And he’s freaking out because he doesn’t know how he’s gonna keep his business afloat when those permits start expiring. He said, and I quote, "The impact for my business will be really hard." Like, you could hear the stress in his voice.

Derek Lawson

And that’s just one business. New York, as you mentioned, has one of the largest concentrations of Venezuelan TPS holders. But these effects are going to ripple across the entire country. It’s no exaggeration to say that, for some industries, this is going to be a seismic shift.

Elena Porter

And we haven’t even gotten into which industries are gonna feel this the hardest. Spoiler alert—it’s a lot of them.

Derek Lawson

Picking up where we left off, it’s not just Daniel's restaurant in New York. Venezuelan TPS holders are critical across the board—so many industries are leaning on them to keep things running. Take hospitality, for example. Restaurants, hotels, tourism businesses—they’re relying heavily on these workers. Cooks, cleaners, servers, you name it. If these workers vanish? We’re looking at businesses struggling to stay open, plain and simple.

Elena Porter

And that’s putting it lightly, Derek. I mean, think about Florida—especially places like Miami or Orlando. These are tourism hotspots! Those cities rely on hospitality workers to survive. Without people to fill these roles, it’s like, what, are guests supposed to just check themselves in, cook their own food, then clean up after? Not happening.

Derek Lawson

Right. Then there’s construction. Venezuelan TPS holders are critical here, from general laborers to specialized roles, like electricians’ assistants. Think about it—each delayed project means contractors can’t take on new ones. Deadlines get blown out of the water. And as demand for housing and infrastructure grows, losing this labor force could be a big hit.

Elena Porter

And remember, this isn’t just a Florida problem. Imagine a city like Houston or LA. Construction's everywhere. Cutting off that workforce? It’s like taking a leg out from under a three-legged table. One big wobble, then crash.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. Now let’s talk healthcare. Home health aides, nursing assistants, even hospital staff—they’re filling critical gaps in care, especially for elder care services. Many of these jobs are hard to fill even with incentives, so the ripple effects could be enormous.

Elena Porter

Oh, for sure. Picture this—someone needing home care in, say, Georgia, right? But no workers are available. What happens to them? It’s not just about staff shortages; it’s a humanitarian crisis waiting to happen.

Derek Lawson

Absolutely. And agriculture’s in the same boat. Harvesting crops, processing food—these jobs are vital, yet notoriously tough to staff. In Florida’s farms alone, losing TPS holders could be devastating. Many of these workers have become the backbone of operations there.

Elena Porter

It’s like, who’s picking the strawberries? Who’s making sure the oranges get from the fields to grocery stores? Without these workers, there’s just no one to step in and keep things moving.

Derek Lawson

And we can’t forget janitorial and maintenance services. Cleaning crews and custodians keep businesses functional, and again, TPS holders fill these roles in droves. Without them, businesses might face higher costs to recruit or major gaps in coverage.

Elena Porter

You’re kinda seeing the trend here, right? Hospitality, construction, healthcare, agriculture, janitorial services—it’s like this domino effect. When the labor force shrinks, things start falling apart. And not just for one industry—everything’s interconnected.

Derek Lawson

Definitely interconnected. And to understand this at a local level, let’s revisit New York. It’s also ground zero for what might come next.

Elena Porter

Yeah, it’s a case study in what happens when TPS workers vanish. That restaurant owner I mentioned earlier? He’s not alone. Local businesses everywhere across the country are already bracing for impact. Layoffs, reduced services—it’s all on the table.

Derek Lawson

And this reminds me of covering Detroit’s auto industry years ago, during another labor crunch. You could see the ripple effects everywhere—entire communities feeling the weight of layoffs and uncertainty. What’s happening in New York feels eerily similar.

Derek Lawson

What happens next is the big question. Employers who are staring down the end of Venezuelan TPS need to pivot quickly. Programs like H-2A for agriculture, H-2B for seasonal jobs, or EB-3 for longer-term sponsorships could be part of the answer. Each comes with its own hurdles, but starting early can make all the difference.

Elena Porter

And by challenges, you mean jumping through hoops, right? Because some of these programs, like H-2B, fill up faster than concert tickets.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. H-2B, for instance, has an annual cap, so employers need to act six months ahead—proving that their jobs are seasonal and that no U.S. workers are available. H-2A for agricultural jobs is less restrictive since there’s no cap, but employers must handle housing, transportation, and pay rates.

Elena Porter

So, basically, it’s a bit of a trade-off. More hoops to jump through, but at least it’s doable, right?

Derek Lawson

Right. Then there’s the EB-3 “Other Workers” visa. It’s better for retaining long-term employees since it leads to permanent residency, but, again, the timeline isn’t quick. One to three years is typical, and employers need to prove no qualified U.S. workers are available through the labor certification process.

Elena Porter

One to three years? That’s a long time to wait when your business might be short-staffed next month.

Derek Lawson

True, but planning ahead now could save some businesses from significant disruptions down the line. Another way employers can address gaps is by widening their recruitment pool. Refugees, asylum seekers, even TPS holders from other countries—they’re all work-authorized and ready to contribute.

Elena Porter

That’s actually really smart. I was at an IRC program last month, and they’re doing incredible work connecting employers with refugees. It’s not just job placements—they help with onboarding too. It’s like a win-win.

Derek Lawson

And partnerships like that can make all the difference. Employers should also consider their state and local workforce development programs. Some offer grants for training or wage subsidies to help businesses transition through a labor crisis.

Elena Porter

So, there are options out there. But let’s be real—none of this is easy. Employers have to get proactive, and quick.

Derek Lawson

Absolutely. Start with a workforce audit. Identify who’s on TPS, check their employment authorization expiration dates, and rank roles by how hard they’d be to replace. From there, consult an immigration attorney about legal options, and develop contingency plans for recruitment or training programs.

Elena Porter

Yeah, because putting off the problem isn’t gonna help when it comes knocking at your door. Businesses have to get creative and maybe even shake up how they operate.

Derek Lawson

You’re exactly right. And let’s not forget, this isn’t just about businesses. It’s about people—workers, families, entire communities facing uncertainty. Employers preparing now aren’t only protecting their bottom line—they’re also showing leadership at a critical moment.

Elena Porter

Couldn’t have said it better. And honestly, that’s the takeaway here—prepare, adapt, and, well, don’t lose hope. The road ahead might feel bumpy, but there’s always a way forward.

Derek Lawson

On that note, we’ll wrap it up for today. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget—you’re not alone in this. Take care.