Talk to Me Tuesday: What is Temporary Protected Status?
Q. What is TPS?
On January 8, 2018 the Trump Administration announced it would end TPS or Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador.
But what is Temporary Protected Status?
What is TPS?
Temporary Protected Status is a temporary immigration status, which allows certain immigrants residing in the U.S. to live and work legally following devastating natural disasters, ongoing armed conflict or civil war, and other extraordinary and temporary conditions in their home country.
Certain citizens and nationals of El Salvador were granted TPS in 2001 following two devastating earthquakes. Approximately 263,000 Salvadorans have been granted TPS since 2001.
Besides El Salvador What Other Countries Have Been Granted TPS?
Several countries currently have TPS status, including Haiti, Honduras, and South Sudan. Like El Salvador, TPS status will terminate soon for both Haiti and Honduras in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Can I Obtain a Green Card with TPS?
No, a TPS beneficiary cannot obtain a green card, lawful permanent residence, or citizenship through the program. TPS grants the ability to obtain valid work authorization and temporarily reside in the U.S.; however, it does not provide a route to reside permanently in the United States.
What Will I do if TPS Ends?
While the U.S. government announced the end of TPS on January 8, 2018, the program will not officially terminate until 2019. This allows TPS beneficiaries the time and opportunity to explore other immigration options before being forced to return to El Salvador.
If you are a beneficiary of TPS, it is important to proactively contact an experienced immigration attorney to discuss your options. Some immigration benefits available may include:
- Cancellation of Removal- Cancellation of Removal is an immigration benefit available for certain non-residents who have resided in the U.S. for 10 years or more. Cancellation of Removal is only an option for individuals in removal proceedings.
- Asylum- Asylum is an immigration benefit reserved for individuals how have suffered persecution or have a reasonable fear of persecution on account of race, religion, national origin, political opinion, or particular social group.
- Adjustment of Status through a Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen Immediate Relative- Adjustment of Status is the process of obtaining a green card or lawful permanent resident through a parent, spouse, sibling, or child over the age of 21.
Conroe Immigration Attorney
The above information is for general, educational purposes. Immigration law is a complicated, detail-oriented area of the law. It is important to discuss your individual options with an experienced immigration attorney. Do not assume you are out of options and do not rely on legal advice that is not specific to you.
Tatiauna Holland is the managing attorney of the Holland Law Firm, PLLC, a boutique immigration and criminal defense law firm based in Conroe, Texas— just north of Houston, Texas. Tatiauna Holland has a wealth of experience representing clients in removal defense and immigration matters, including asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, U-Visas, and more.
Contact the Holland Law Firm, PLLC at (936) 539-6882 or submit an online form to discuss your legal options following the end of TPS.
References:
USCIS- Temporary Protected Status (El Salvador)
New York Times- Trump Administration Says 200,000 Salvadorans Must Leave
CNN.com- Trump Admin Ends Protections for 200,000 Salvadorans
