The Trump administration just delivered another decisive move to secure our border: ending the 2021 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuelan nationals. The decision, announced Wednesday by DHS and Secretary Kristi Noem, will impact 268,156 Venezuelans currently in the U.S. In plain English: the “temporary” in Temporary Protected Status actually means temporary. What a concept!

Let’s remember, Biden created two separate TPS programs for Venezuelans—classic Democrat strategy: if something doesn’t work, double it. The first, from 2021, ends now. The second, from 2023, was already terminated back in April by President Trump’s team. That move alone cut off protected status for 348,000 Venezuelans. Now, with both programs gone, the magnet effect encouraging illegal migration is finally being shut off.

As DHS put it: “Maintaining or expanding TPS for Venezuelan nationals directly undermines the Trump Administration’s efforts to secure our southern border.” Exactly. TPS had become a loophole big enough to drive a caravan through. And with Venezuela’s regime actively tied to the violent Tren de Aragua gang, it’s more than a migration issue—it’s national security.

The numbers are staggering: in addition to the 268,000 losing status, 3,738 pending initial applications and 102,935 pending renewals will be terminated immediately. USCIS even reminded those affected they can use the CBP Home Mobile App to arrange their departure. Welcome to the 21st century—there’s an app for that.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s dictator Nicolás Maduro cried foul, accusing Trump of “seeking regime change through military threat.” Oh, the irony. This from a man whose officials are accused by the FBI of helping cartel thugs infiltrate the U.S. And just to underscore the point, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a successful U.S. military strike in the Caribbean this week that destroyed a Venezuelan drug boat and killed 11 suspected Tren de Aragua narco-terrorists. Message delivered, loud and clear.

Here’s the bottom line: under Trump, America isn’t playing games. No more endless “temporary” protections that incentivize lawlessness. No more free passes for those connected to cartels and corrupt regimes. And certainly no more sacrificing American safety for Democrat virtue-signaling. This is what America First looks like—strong borders, safer communities, and real accountability. That’s leadership worth celebrating.