DHS Announces Six-Month Extension for TPS for Haiti

Photo Credit: Washington Post

DHS Secretary John F. Kelly extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti for an additional six months, through 1/22/18. DHS will re-evaluate the designation for Haiti prior to January 2018 and decide anew whether extension, re-designation, or termination is warranted.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration benefit granted by USCIS.  Individuals who have been granted TPS:

• Are not removable from the United States
• Can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)
• May be granted travel authorization.

TPS was originally extended after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti left hundreds of thousands dead and led to a cholera outbreak. The international community, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, deemed Haiti too dangerous for certain Haitian nationals to return to their home country.

Only Haitians who were in the United States by Jan. 12, 2011, the first anniversary of the earthquake, were eligible to apply for protected status.

Once TPS status is revoked for beneficiaries, the individuals may be subject to removal from the US. However, these individuals may be eligible to apply for other immigration benefits, including adjustment of status (permanent residence or green card), nonimmigrant status, or any other immigration benefit he or she may be eligible.

Haiti is not the only country for which Temporary Protected Status has been granted. TPS has been granted for several countries, including El Salvador, Syria, and Yemen. TPS status ended this few for people from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Learn more about TPS and other immigration benefits, including asylum, cancellation of removal, VAWA, and more by contacting the Holland Law Firm, PLLC at (936) 539-6882 or submit an online form.

Tatiauna Holland is the managing attorney of the Holland Law Firm, PLLC. The Holland Law Firm, PLLC is a full-service family-based, employment-based, and removal defense immigration firm. The Holland Law Firm, PLLC proudly serves individuals and communities throughout the Houston area, including Conroe, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Richmond, Humble, Tomball, and more.

References:

USCIS-Temporary Protected Status

USCIS-Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

Washington Post- For Haitians who came to U.S. after earthquake, another deportation reprieve