One of the immigration terms that you may encounter is Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Temporary Protected Status can only be granted through the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and it is given to select foreign-born people who cannot safely go back to their homes for a variety of reasons. What is TPS, and could you be eligible for it?
What Countries Could Lead to Being Granted Temporary Protected Status?
Temporary Protected Status is given when it is unsafe for someone to return to their home country. This can arise for a variety of reasons, including:
- Civil war or another armed conflict
- Environmental disasters, like tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, or tsunamis
- Other circumstances that can be categorized as temporary and extraordinary
There are currently over 400,000 foreign citizens who are in the United States under Temporary Protected Status, including many from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Haiti, Yemen, El Salvador, and more. However, designations will eventually expire. For example, Haiti’s current extension date is 8/3/2024. That means that, provided the conflict or situation in the country is over by August 3, 2024, your Temporary Protected Status would expire. Decisions regarding extensions legally have to be made 60 days or more from the current expiration date, which is designed to give you plenty of time to prepare.
How Can You Qualify for TPS?
In order to be considered eligible for Temporary Protected Status, you must:
- Be a national of one of the countries that is eligible
- File for TPS during a set period of time
- Have been continuously present in the United States since a specific date
What Are The Benefits of Getting Temporary Protected Status?
There are many different benefits of receiving TPS. For example, you will not be considered removable from the United States or be detainable due to your immigration status. Additionally, you will be eligible for travel authorization and be able to apply for an employment authorization document. This gives you much more freedom during your stay in the United States. In fact, hundreds of thousands of individuals with TPS are currently working in the United States providing skilled labor.
Learn More About the Immigration Process from The Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence
If you or a loved one are concerned about felony charges or other convictions that might jeopardize your immigration status, choose an experienced firm like the Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence to give you the help you need. Please give us a call at 443.352.3201. Skype and telephone consultation are both available to clients.