Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is becoming more and more involved in national discourse as our current president, Donald Trump, and his administration continues to act upon the designation.
Currently, the TPS designation for Haiti has been extended through January 22, 2018 and the pre-registration period for people who already have TPS is from May 24, 2017 to July 24, 2017.
Still, for those who are unaware: What is TPS? And how does it affect you? We will answer those questions below.
WHAT IS TPS?
Temporary Protected Status (also called "TPS") is a temporary immigration status in the United States, granted to eligible nationals of designated countries. The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. [https://www.uscis.gov]
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TPS?
An immigrant who is a national of a country (or immigrant having no nationality who last habitually resided in that country) designated for TPS is eligible to apply for TPS benefits if he or she:
Establishes the necessary continuous physical presence (CPP) and continuous residence in the United States as specified by each designation;
Is not subject to one of the criminal, security-related, or other bars to TPS; and
Applies for TPS within the specified time period. If the Secretary of Homeland Security extends a TPS designation beyond the initial designation period, the beneficiary must timely re-register to maintain his or her TPS benefits under the TPS program.
When you apply or re-register for TPS, you must inform USCIS of all absences from the United States since the CPP and CR dates. USCIS will determine whether the exception applies in your case.
WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TPS
Have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States;
Are found inadmissible as an immigrant under applicable grounds in INA section 212(a), including non-waivable criminal and security-related grounds;
Are subject to any of the mandatory bars to asylum. These include, but are not limited to, participating in the persecution of another individual or engaging in or inciting terrorist activity;
Fail to meet the continuous physical presence and continuous residence in the United States requirements;
Fail to meet initial or late initial TPS registration requirements; or
If granted TPS, you fail to re-register for TPS, as required, without good cause.
WHERE TO FILE FOR TPS
TPS is a massive and important issue for everyone and filing for it even more so. Natasha and Company Multi Services offers this service. This incorporation strives to offer the best services to the community--local and international--so that everyone can have the opportunity to receive quality assistance.
I DON'T HAVE TO FILE TPS SO HOW DOES TPS AFFECT ME?
TPS is not limited to people of Haitian descent. TPS is offered to countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria , and Yemen.
HOWEVER, if you still do not require TPS, the discourse and further actions towards the designations still affect you. Immigrants have made an imprint on this country and continue to do so every day. If these groups of people are forced to return to their home country, the effects will be devastating. Many immigrants own car dealerships and insurance companies; and with their will to live and survive, they stimulate the economy with everyday purchases. They are employees to business firms and many other organizations and corporations.
Even more so, they are the parents to children who have become American citizens. If immigrant parents leave, where will their children go? How will orphanages support this massive influx of children?
The answer is unclear.
Yet, the impact of future TPS decisions is apparent. TPS affects every United States resident--whether they are the CEO of a massive corporation or farmers who work day after day to supply this country with fresh goods.
