Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program that provides temporary immigration relief to individuals from certain countries facing exceptional circumstances, such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
What is TPS exactly?
Temporary Protected Status is a program established by the U.S. government to offer protection to individuals from designated countries that are confronting severe challenges, preventing their safe return. TPS provides beneficiaries with the ability to live and work in the United States for a specified period, granting them relief from deportation and allowing them to support themselves and their families.
TPS offers several benefits to beneficiaries, including protection from removal or deportation, eligibility to obtain work authorization, and the ability to apply for travel authorization. These benefits provide individuals with the opportunity to earn a livelihood, support their families, and contribute to their local communities while their home countries recover from the underlying conditions that prompted TPS designation.
The application process typically includes submitting necessary forms, supporting documentation, and the required application fee. It is crucial to closely follow the guidelines provided by USCIS and ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date.
Who is eligible for TPS?
TPS can be granted to an individual who is a national of a designated country, has filed for status during a specified registration period, and who has been continuously physically present in the U.S. since a designated date.
What are the benefits of TPS?
During a designated period, TPS holders are:
- Not removable from the U.S. and not detainable by DHS on the basis of his or her immigration status,
- Eligible for an employment authorization document (EAD), and
- Eligible for travel authorization.
How many individuals are currently granted TPS?
The U.S. currently provides TPS to over 400,000 foreign nationals.
Here is the list of eligible countries, the individuals from Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Burma were just recently designated:
| Ethiopia | 30,000+ eligible |
| Cameroon | 11,700 eligible |
| Afghanistan | 72,500 eligible |
| Ukraine | 59600 |
| Venezuela | 323,000 eligible |
| El Salvador | 251,567 |
| Honduras | 44000 |
| Haiti | 56,453 |
| Nepal | 14,791 |
| Syria | 6448 |
| Nicaragua | 4250 |
| Burma | 1,600 eligible |
| Yemen | 1700 |
| Sudan | 3090 |
| Somalia | 2200 |
| South Sudan | 84 |
I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status
Use the form I-821 to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). When filing an initial TPS application or re-registering for TPS, you can also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Request for Employment Authorization, when you file Form I-821.