US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, Haiti, and Ethiopia. These changes aim to provide essential protection and opportunities for those fleeing conflict and instability in their home countries. This article will provide information on TPS in general and these recent updates.
What is TPS?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration status granted on a temporary basis to eligible individuals from designated countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary conditions. TPS allows individuals to stay and work in the U.S. legally until the situation in their home country improves.
When a county’s TPS status is extended, those individuals who already have been granted TPS may continue to receive those protections and benefits. Generally, those individuals must re-register during the specified re-registration period to maintain their TPS benefits.
Redesignation of TPS allows additional eligible individuals to submit initial applications for TPS. Initial applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a national of a country designated for TPS, or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country.
- File during the open initial registration or re-registration period, or you meet the requirements for late initial filing during any extension of your country’s TPS designation;
- Have been continuously physically present (CPP) in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation date of your country; and
- Have been continuously residing (CR) in the United States since the date specified for your country.
The status of re-registration periods and/or redesignation periods for the above-named countries are as follows:
Updates for Yemen:
On July 08, 2024, DHS announced the extension and redesignation of Yemen for TPS for an additional 18 months, through March 03, 2026.
Important dates include:
- Re-Registration period (for those who already have TPS) is July 10, 2024 – September 09, 2024
- Registration period for initial applications for TPS is July 10, 2024 – March 03, 2026
Updates for Haiti:
On June 28, 2024, DHS announced the extension and redesignation of Haiti for TPS for an additional 18 months, through February 03, 2026.
Important dates include:
- Re-Registration period (for those who already have TPS) is July 01, 2024 – August 30, 2024
- Registration period for initial applications for TPS is July 01, 2024 – February 03, 2026
Updates for Ethiopia
DHS announced the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for TPS through December 12, 2025.
Important dates include:
- Re-Registration period (for those who already have TPS) is April 15, 2024 – June 14, 2024.
- Registration period for initial applications for TPS is April 15, 2024 – December 12, 2025.
Conclusion
These updates on TPS for Yemen, Haiti, and Ethiopia are crucial for many individuals and families seeking refuge from conflict and uncertainty. We encourage everyone affected to stay informed and take the necessary steps to secure their status.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your TPS application or re-registration, please contact Kolko & Casey, P.C. at (303) 371-1822.