The U.S. government has announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. This action is a direct response to the petitions of various political and economic sectors that have asked the government to continue protecting those migrants that left Venezuela in 2014 due to the sociopolitical crisis they’re currently in.
However, TPS does not only cover Venezuelans. Other migrants can also apply and benefit from this travel authorization document. But how?
In our blog post, we will explain to you what exactly is TPS and how it helps those who benefit from this immigration process.
What is Temporary Protected Status?
Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is an immigration program that the government provides to citizens in certain countries under particular circumstances that allow them to remain temporarily in the U.S.
TPS was created by Congress as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 to protect citizens of certain countries that cannot return to their homeland because of:
- An ongoing armed conflict between their country and another nation or a civil war.
- Environmental disasters in their nation.
- Pandemics.
- Other temporary and extraordinary conditions.
Which countries can apply for TPS?
The Department of Homeland Security allows citizens of these countries to be potential beneficiaries of TPS:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Cameroon
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Somalia
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Venezuela
- Yemen
If you are a citizen or a stateless person that has resided in one of these countries, you are qualified to benefit from TPS.
What are TPS’s benefits?
Despite the fact that this immigration program does not grant permanent residency or any other immigration status, immigrants that are under TPS can benefit from a series of measures to help them incorporate their lives in the United States.
Therefore, beneficiaries will be provided with:
- Protection from being deported.
- Remaining for a period of time in the United States designated by their TPS.
- An employment authorization document (EAD).
- An application for travel authorization.
What criteria must I meet in order to be eligible for TPS?
To become a TPS beneficiary, first, you must either be a citizen from one of the designated countries or a stateless person that has resided in these countries before immigrating to the U.S.
In addition, you must have been residing or continually physically present (CPP) in the United States prior to the effective date of the most recent designation date for your country.
Although there are some exceptions in TBS that do not require you to be physically present in the U.S. at all times, the law allows beneficiaries to leave the U.S. for a brief period under innocent circumstances. However, all of these departures must be reported to the USCIS.
Does TPS have to be renewed?
Yes. Since this is a temporary permit, once you are granted TPS benefits, you must renew your status in each re-registration period to continue having your temporary protected status.
This requirement applies to all TPS beneficiaries, including those who were initially granted TPS by immigration authorities, a judge, or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
If you’re a resident of these countries that is eligible for TPS and need advice on how to apply, call us at 770-769-5820 to schedule an appointment.
