Immigration relief in the form of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows individuals from designated countries to live and work in the United States even if they do not have any other legal status. Poor economic infrastructure, effects of war and political regimes, and environmental disasters are some of the bases used by the Department of Homeland Security to designate a TPS country. The following countries are currently designated for TPS: Burundi, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, and Liberia. 

It is important to keep in mind that TPS does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship. Once the TPS program for a particular country ends, the individual reverts back to the status he/she had before TPS. However, one can change status from TPS to permanent residence at any time.

To apply for TPS, an individual must have been in the United States when his/her country was designated as a TPS country. For example, TPS for El Salvador most recently started in 2001, and to be eligible, the applicant had to have been a continuous resident of the United States from February 13, 2001 and continuously physically present in the United States since March 9, 2001. Approximately every 18 months, DHS reviews the country’s situation and decides whether to extend the TPS program. In the case of El Salvador, the program has been extended until March 9, 2009. Regular re-registration is required for all TPS programs according to a set schedule and the applicant must not have any felony convictions or more than one misdemeanor conviction.

Even if you did not register for TPS during a country’s initial registration period, there are late bases for registration including being the spouse or child of a TPS registrant, having an immigration application pending before immigration court or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, etc. 

To see if you are eligible for TPS, schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer. If your TPS has been revoked because of criminal convictions and you have been scheduled for an immigration court hearing, call an immigration attorney right away to determine any other forms of relief available to you. 

Individuals from El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua are now eligible to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The registration deadline for those from El Salvador is December 30, 2008, while the deadline is December 1, 2008 for those from Honduras and Nicaragua. You must re-register for TPS even if your work permit is still valid.

Upcoming Free Consultation, Walk-In Date

Our immigration lawyer Jennifer Varughese will be holding an Immigration Law Open House, at which she will provide free consultations in immigration law, at our Manassas Office on Saturday, July 24, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Call (703) 361-7735 now for a reserved appointment. We will consult with walk-ins on a first come, first served basis at these Open Houses, but we strongly encourage that you call ahead to reserve a spot.