Non-citizens with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) can lawfully work and reside within the United States for a period of approximately 6 to 18 months without being at risk of deporation. Below, we discuss TPS and how you can get legal help from an experienced Texas immigration lawyer.

Benefits Of TPS

If you are from a country with a TPS designation, you can enjoy living and working in America for as long as your country has Temporary Protected Status. Usually, this lasts anywhere between 6 to 18 months, but the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can choose to extend TPS designations for as long as is necessary depending on the reason for the designation.

Although TPS will protect you from deporation while your country is on the list, the designation does not provide a path to American citizenship. However, you can file what is called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which affords you a Social Security Number and allows you to earn a living inside the border. Another primary benefit of this designation is that it protects you from being detained by ICE or DHS based on your immigration status once you have been granted Temporary Protected Status.

Qualifications For TPS

Typically, a country must be facing a significant but temporary crisis, such as but not limited to a large-scale natural disaster, an epidemic, or war. Your country must already be on the TPS list in order for you to file an application for Temporary Protected Status.

Other qualifications include:

  • Proof that you are a citizen of or habitually reside in a country with a TPS designation
  • Continous physical presence (CPP) and continuous residence (CR) within the U.S. since the most recent date that your country was on the TPS list
  • Application filed during the registration period(s) for your country or filed with an approved extension
  • Background and security clearance

Countries With TPS

The Secretary of Homeland Security designates which countries have TPS. As of the summer of 2022, countries with TPS include Afghanistan, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.

How a Veteran Texas Immigration Attorney Can Help You

Eluid Zavala is an experienced Texas immigration lawyer who can help you navigate filing for Temporary Protected Status. Call today for a consultation to discuss your legal needs at (713) 766-6720 (Houston) or (713) 588-3132 (Greenspoint Park).