TPS

Pursuant to international obligations, the United States from forcing foreign nationals to return to countries that have recently experienced natural disasters, ongoing armed conflict, or other extraordinary conditions. The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to designate countries for Temporary Protected Status. Nationals from designated countries who are eligible for and awarded TPS status are granted work authorization, travel authorization, and are not subject to removal. However, TPS is a temporary benefit that does not lead to lawful permanent resident status or give any other immigration status. As of January 1, 2020, the following countries are designated for TPS status: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

To establish eligibility for TPS, nationals of designated countries must file their applications during the initial registration period (or in the late registration period in certain cases). They must have been physically present in the United States at the time their country was designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security and have residing in the U.S. continuously since that time.

The TPS terminations of several countries is currently being contested in the federal courts. TPS recipients from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan would be best served by staying apprised of these judicial developments. TPS designations for Somalia, Syria, and Yemen have been extended into 2021.