Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program provided by the U.S. government to offer temporary relief from deportation and allow eligible foreign nationals from certain countries to live and work in the United States for a designated period of time. TPS is granted to nationals of countries that are experiencing significant challenges, such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that make it unsafe or difficult for them to return home.

Key Features of Temporary Protected Status (TPS):

1. Eligibility for TPS:

   To qualify for TPS, an individual must meet specific eligibility requirements, which include:

   • Nationality: The applicant must be a national of a designated country, or a person without nationality who last resided in a country that has been designated for TPS.
   • Continuous Physical Presence: The individual must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since the effective date of the TPS designation for their country. This means the applicant must be in the U.S. on the date that TPS is granted to their country and must maintain continuous presence throughout the program’s duration.
   • Continuous Residence: Applicants must also have continuously resided in the U.S. for a specified period, which can vary depending on the country and the conditions of the TPS designation.
   • Criminal History: The applicant must not have been convicted of certain crimes, such as felony or serious misdemeanors, as outlined by U.S. immigration law. Those with certain criminal convictions are disqualified from TPS.

2. Designated Countries:

   TPS is granted to nationals of specific countries that are facing conditions such as civil war, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions that prevent their safe return. The U.S. government regularly reviews and updates the list of designated countries based on the current conditions. Countries may be granted TPS for a specific period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, or more) and may be extended if the conditions in the country do not improve.

   Examples of countries that have been designated for TPS in the past (as of recent designations) include:

   • Honduras
   • El Salvador
   • Nicaragua
   • Syria
   • Venezuela
   • Somalia
   • Sudan
   • Haiti
   • Yemen

3. Benefits of TPS:

   • Temporary Protection from Deportation: TPS holders are protected from deportation for the duration of the program. This protection is temporary and can be revoked if conditions in the country of origin improve or if the individual’s status changes.
   • Work Authorization: Individuals with TPS are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allowing them to work legally in the U.S. during their TPS status.
   • Travel Restrictions: TPS holders generally cannot travel outside the U.S. and return without first receiving advance parole from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Traveling without advance parole could result in the loss of TPS status.

4. Duration of TPS:

   • TPS is granted for a limited period, often 6 to 18 months, and it is subject to renewal. If conditions in the designated country do not improve, TPS may be extended multiple times. Extensions typically happen in 6-month intervals, though the U.S. government reviews the conditions regularly and may end TPS designation for a country if conditions improve.
   • When the TPS designation for a country ends, individuals may be required to return to their home country unless they qualify for another immigration status (such as asylum, a family-based petition, or employment-based visa).