Venezuelans under TPS can apply for refugee status, Kristi Noem says

Homeland security secretary says Venezuelan leader needs to protect America against drug trafficking and terrorists

Kristi Noem, the US homeland security secretary, said on Sunday that the US wants a leader in Venezuela who will be a partner that understands that we're going to protect America" to stop drug trafficking and terrorists from coming into our country".

Noem indicated in an interview on Fox News Sunday that the immigration status of Venezuelan nationals living in the US under temporary protected status (TPS) was part of an administration-wide decision-making process that her department would follow.