In the interest of protecting foreign nationals who are temporarily stranded in the United States due to unsafe conditions in their country of origin, the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to designate certain immigrants for temporary protected status (TPS). By applying for temporary protected status through U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), individuals from those designated countries may legally remain in the United States on a short-term basis until conditions back home have improved.
If your country of origin is experiencing an environmental disaster, a localized epidemic, ongoing armed conflict, or some other extraordinary condition that temporarily makes it unsafe for you to return, you may want to consider seeking temporary protected status in Washington, DC. A knowledgeable immigration lawyer could explain during a private consultation how TPS works and what steps you should take to best serve your interests.
Only individuals who are nationals of TPS-designated countries or who have no declared nationality but most recently maintained permanent residence in such a country are eligible to apply for temporary protected status in Washington, DC. These applicants must also have been continuously physically present and have maintained continuous residence in the U.S. since the date on which their country of origin received its TPS designation. In addition, anyone to whom any of the following conditions apply is ineligible to apply for or renew TPS, regardless of their country of origin’s designation:
An experienced attorney in Washington DC could provide guidance on a case-by-case basis about a particular individual’s eligibility for TPS.
As of August 2021, the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated the following nations for TPS:
All TPS applicants from any of these countries must file Form I-821 to begin the process of seeking temporary protected status. Importantly, individuals from Burma, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, or Yemen may file this form online if they wish to do so, while all other applicants must submit a paper copy to USCIS by mail. Certain individuals seeking TPS in Washington, DC may also be eligible to seek work authorization by including Form I-765 with their initial application.
Temporary protected status could allow you to seek short-term safe haven in the United States while your home country goes through an unpredictable and tumultuous situation. Still, this option is only available to qualifying individuals who submit thorough applications in a timely fashion. Therefore, applying for temporary protected status in Washington, DC is not something you should undertake before speaking with a knowledgeable immigration lawyer about your options. Call Hacking Immigration Law, LLC today to schedule a meeting with our experienced attorney.