Immigration Lawyer for TPS
TPS is a temporary immigration benefit that may protect eligible nationals from deportation. Get help with your TPS application with Lorenzo Law Group.
TPS is a temporary immigration benefit for certain people who cannot return to their home countries safely. Although TPS does provide protection from removal and access to employment authorization, you do have to follow country-specific deadlines and filing requirements to apply and maintain your status once approved.
TPS designations can change or end. Before starting your TPS application or if your country faces TPS designation removal, it’s important to discuss your concerns with an immigration lawyer for TPS. Schedule a consultation with Lorenzo Law Group today.
Table of Contents
Talk To an Immigration Attorney Who Understands Your Story.
What Is TPS?
TPS is a humanitarian program administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It stands for Temporary Protected Status.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a country for Temporary Protected Status due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other temporary conditions that make returning unsafe.
Eligible nationals of a designated country and certain individuals who last habitually resided there may apply for this benefit.
Once approved, applicants are usually protected from removal during the designation period. They can also request employment authorization in the United States.
TPS is a temporary benefit that does not provide lawful permanent residence, citizenship, or any other permanent immigration classification.
Who May Qualify for Temporary Protected Status?
Eligibility can vary based on country and designation. Applicants generally must:
- Be a national of a designated country or, if stateless, have last habitually resided there.
- Have resided in the U.S. continuously since the applicable date.
- Have remained continuously physically present in the U.S. since the required date.
- File during the announced registration or re-registration period.
- Not be barred by certain criminal, immigration, or security-related grounds.
A felony conviction or two or more misdemeanor convictions in the U.S. can make you ineligible for TPS, as can some inadmissibility grounds. Immigration waivers are available in certain situations.
Speak With an Immigration Attorney Today
Filing a TPS Application with Form I-821
Applicants generally use Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, to request TPS or re-register for an existing designation. They must also submit documents that establish identity, nationality, residence, and physical presence. Necessary pieces of evidence may include a passport, birth certificate, national identity document, school/employment records, medical records, rental agreements, and other documents showing that the applicant was in the U.S. during the required period.
You may need to attend a biometrics appointment or answer a Request for Evidence if your documentation is insufficient.
Re-registering for TPS
When DHS extends a TPS designation, existing beneficiaries typically have to re-register during the announced period. If you miss the re-registration period, you may lose TPS, although USCIS may accept late re-registration for good cause.
Applicants sometimes assume that an automatic extension of their Employment Authorization Document means that their status remains valid. However, you should verify the requirements for your country to avoid missing important deadlines.
What Happens After a TPS Designation Removal?
Countries may face TPS designation removal or termination when DHS decides that TPS is no longer necessary or applicable. This is different from a specific individual beneficiary losing their TPS. If a country loses its designation, it’s generally announced via a Federal Register notice with the date and transition period.
When a country’s TPS designation ends, beneficiaries no longer have TPS. Their immigration status afterward depends on any other status they maintained or lawfully obtained. Consider exploring immigration alternatives before your termination date rather than waiting until protection expires; if you no longer have lawful status after the termination date, you may be subject to removal.
Replacing TPS: Can You Go from TPS to a Green Card?
Unfortunately, there is no automatic TPS to green card process. You have to qualify for a green card through another category, such as a family relationship, employment, or asylum. Approval for a green card may be dependent on how you entered the country, whether a visa is available, and any inadmissibility grounds that apply. Because these cases are highly fact-specific, we recommend discussing your options with an immigration attorney before replacing TPS.
Talk to an Immigration Lawyer About TPS
TPS is a helpful form of immigration protection, but applying for it is not always straightforward. That’s why it’s recommended to work with an immigration lawyer for TPS.
Lorenzo Law Group’s fully bilingual immigration team can help determine whether you meet the requirements for TPS, prepare all necessary forms and evidence on your behalf, and respond to Requests for Evidence.
If you’re concerned about potential grounds of inadmissibility, we can help determine whether you may qualify for a waiver. We’re also here to help those who are preparing for a scheduled end of designation and want to explore other immigration pathways.
Ready to discuss your application, prepare for re-registration, or look for other immigration routes as your TPS designation ends? Let’s talk. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our team.
1 Ring
Average time it takes us to answer your call.
3 Minutes
Approximate time needed to let you know if we can review your case.
