TPS: Pathway to Legal Protection in the U.S.

Are you or someone you know facing unsafe conditions in your home country? The I.S. Law Firm is here to help you understand and navigate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in simple terms. TPS is a unique program in U.S. immigration law that offers temporary relief to individuals from certain countries and allows them to legally live and work in the United States until conditions improve back home. In this blog, we will break down the key aspects of TPS and explain how it can benefit you and your family.

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian benefit provided under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to eligible nationals of designated countries. It was established to offer protection to foreign nationals who cannot return to their home countries due to unsafe conditions such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances that temporarily prevent their safe return.

Eligibility for TPS:

To be eligible for TPS, an individual must meet certain criteria set forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These criteria include:

Nationality: The individual must be a national of countries currently designated for TPS: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Continuous Residence: The individual must have continuously resided in the United States since the designated date specified by USCIS for their country.
Physical Presence: The individual must have been physically present in the United States at the time of the TPS designation and must continue to maintain a physical presence during the registration period.
Criminal Record: Individuals with certain criminal convictions are generally ineligible for TPS.

Benefits of TPS:

Temporary Relief: TPS provides individuals with temporary relief from deportation and grants them legal status to live and work in the United States for a designated period. This allows individuals to establish stable lives for themselves and their families while the conditions in their home countries improve.
Employment Authorization: TPS beneficiaries are eligible to obtain employment authorization documents (EADs) which allow them to legally work in the United States during the designated period.
Travel Authorization: TPS beneficiaries can also apply for a travel authorization, known as Advance Parole, which allows them to travel internationally and return to the United States without risking their TPS status.
Protection from Removal: While TPS is in effect, individuals are protected from deportation and removal proceedings, giving them a sense of security and stability.
Access to Social Benefits: TPS beneficiaries may be eligible for certain social benefits, such as healthcare and driver’s licenses, depending on the state in which they reside.