Get Temporary Protected Status in Houston
Our Texas TPS Attorneys Can Help You Apply
When a country becomes unsafe for its citizens, the U.S. government might designate that country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This designation not only recognizes international crises but also helps certain people from countries with TPS avoid deportation and pursue legal employment opportunities in the United States.
Even if your country receives TPS designation, you must still apply for TPS benefits and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Lopez & Rhodes PLLC can help. Our attorneys have a decade of unique legal experiences and lifetimes of compassion and dedication to put on your side.
Call us at (832) 514-4879 to find out what we can do for you.
What Is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of a country designated for TPS.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
“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.”
TPS applies to people from designated countries and is exactly what it sounds like. For a certain period of time, eligible nationals and individuals who last resided in the designated country:
- Are not removable from the United States
- Can obtain EADs
- May be granted travel authorization
- Cannot be detained by DHS based on their immigration status
TPS is, by definition, temporary, but it does not stop individuals from applying for other immigration benefits.
If you need help applying for TPS or need legal support for any of your other immigration needs, look no further than Lopez & Rhodes PLLC.
What Countries Are Designated for TPS?
Countries may be designated for TPS because of an ongoing armed conflict (e.g., a civil war), an environmental disaster (such as an earthquake or hurricane), a political or economic crisis, food insecurity, violence and human rights violations, or a lack of access to healthcare and basic services.
As of March 12, 2021, the following countries were currently designated for TPS:
- Haiti
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Venezuela
- Nepal
- Somalia
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Yemen
- Syria
Always Check for Updates
TPS status for each of these countries has a different expiration date, and USCIS can choose to extend TPS or re-designate the country. USCIS can also extend a new Temporary Protected Status designation at any time.
For example, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas designated Venezuela for 18 months of TPS on March 8, 2021 “due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Venezuela that prevent nationals from returning safely, including a complex humanitarian crisis marked by widespread hunger and malnutrition, a growing influence and presence of non-state armed groups, repression, and a crumbling infrastructure.”
Significant changes like this can occur at any time, so you should always check for updates when you see a list of countries with TPS designation.
How To Apply for Temporary Protected Status
To apply for TPS, you must first be eligible, which means you must be a national of a country designated for TPS or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country. For instance, a Venezuelan national or someone who left their residence in Venezuela at the start of the humanitarian crisis may be eligible. Additionally, individuals can only be eligible if they have been continuously residing and physically present in the United States since the date specified for their country.
A Venezuelan national who was staying with family members in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic is just one example of someone who may be eligible for TPS. You may not be eligible if you have been convicted of a felony or 2 or more misdemeanors since arriving in the United States.
All eligible individuals must register and apply for TPS within the deadline for their country of residence. You must submit evidence of identity, date of entry, continuous residence, as well as an application for TPS. The application process consists of 7 steps, and you must adhere to USCIS requirements,
Our firm can help the application process go off without a hitch.
Exploring Your Options With Lopez & Rhodes PLLC
If you are in the United States or need to leave your home country because you feel unsafe, you may be eligible for asylum – even if your country does not have a TPS designation. Further, you can apply for asylum once TPS expires, as TPS extends the 1-year deadline for filing for asylum once in the United States.
While you have TPS, you can also apply for a visa, a green card, or naturalization. Lopez & Rhodes PLLC can help you achieve your immigration goals.
All you have to do is call us at (832) 514-4879 or contact us online to get started today.