Hernan Taylor & Lee

What is Temporary Protected Status?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries. The purpose of Temporary Protected Status is to provide protective status to immigrants who cannot safely return to their countries of origin due to extreme conditions (such as an environmental disaster).   TPS beneficiaries will not be required to leave the United States (while nationals from their home country remain eligible for TPS) and may obtain work authorization for the initial TPS period and for any extensions of the designation. TPS does not lead to permanent resident status. When the U.S. government terminates a TPS designation, beneficiaries will return to the same immigration status they had before TPS.

Nationals of the following countries are currently eligible for Temporary Protected Status if required deadlines for application have been met:

El Salvador (currently designated through March 9, 2009)

Honduras (currently designated through January 5, 2009)

Nicaragua (currently designated through January 5, 2009)

Burundi (terminated effective 12:01 a.m. May 2, 2009)

Somalia (currently designated through September 17, 2009

Sudan (currently designated through May 2, 2010)

Applicants must not have benn convicted of any felony or more than two misdemeanors in the United States.  Many other factors, of course, apply to whether or not an individual qualifies for TPS. 

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