Introduction
Temporary Protected Service (TPS) is a program that provides temporary protection to individuals from certain countries. Armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances prevent these people from returning to their home countries.
TPS allows individuals to remain in the United States temporarily if returning to their home country would threaten their safety or well-being. This is by providing them with a type of humanitarian protection. The program provides eligible individuals with a work permit and protection from deportation for a specific period.
This article will tell you all you need to know about temporary protected service (TPS), including its history, eligibility criteria, benefits, challenges, current status, and expiration dates. It will also touch on recent changes in TPS policies and provide readers with a clear understanding of what TPS is and how it works.
History of TPS
Temporary Protected Service (TPS) was set up in 1990 as part of the Immigration Act. It was initially established to protect foreign nationals who could not return to their home country due to war or natural disasters.
The first TPS designation was for individuals from El Salvador in 1990. Since then, TPS has been for individuals from several countries, including Haiti, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Over the years, TPS policies have undergone several changes. The passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996 made the most significant changes. This law made it more difficult for individuals to obtain TPS and shortened the time that people could get TPS.
There have also been several changes in TPS policies under the current administration.
Eligibility Criteria for TPS
Nationality Requirements
Individuals must be from a country set aside for TPS by the US government. Eligible countries are those experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that make it unsafe for individuals to return home.
Residence and Presence Requirements
To qualify for TPS, individuals must have been continuously present in the United States since the beginning of the TPS designation for their country. Additionally, they must have continuously resided in the United States since a certain date specified by the government.
Criminal Records and Other Disqualifiers
Individuals with certain criminal records or who have engaged in activities that disqualify them from TPS may be ineligible for the program. Examples of disqualifying activities include involvement in terrorism or the persecution of others. Individuals who have previously been deported or violated immigration laws may also be ineligible for TPS.
Related: Impact of Conditional Resident Status on Applying for Citizenship
Benefits of TPS
Temporary Protected Service (TPS) provides several benefits to eligible individuals. These benefits include:
- Protection from deportation: TPS recipients are protected from deportation and cannot be removed from the United States during the designated TPS period.
- Work authorization: TPS recipients are eligible to work legally in the United States and can obtain a work permit.
- Travel authorization: TPS recipients can apply for a travel document that allows them to travel outside the United States and return without losing their TPS status.
- Driver’s license: TPS recipients can obtain a driver’s license in many states.
- Social security: TPS recipients can apply for a social security number.
- Healthcare: TPS recipients may be eligible for certain healthcare benefits.
- Education: TPS recipients can enroll in educational programs and apply for financial aid in some states.
TPS recipients who may otherwise be unable to work or live safely in their home country can obtain much-needed stability and security from these benefits.
Challenges of TPS
Eligible individuals face several challenges posed by Temporary Protected Service (TPS), despite its benefits. These challenges include:
- Uncertainty: TPS is a temporary program and may be terminated at any time. This creates uncertainty for individuals who may not know their future once their TPS period ends.
- Limited eligibility: TPS is only available to individuals from certain countries and only for certain periods. This limits the number of individuals who can benefit from the program.
- Inadequate protection: TPS only provides temporary protection from deportation and does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship.
- Financial hardship: TPS recipients may face financial hardship due to the temporary nature of the program and restrictions on employment opportunities.
- Limited access to resources: TPS recipients may need more access to certain resources, such as health care and educational opportunities.
- Discrimination: TPS recipients may face discrimination due to their immigration status.
- Changes in policies: TPS policies, including recent changes made under the current administration, can make it more difficult for individuals to obtain or maintain TPS status.
These challenges can make it difficult for TPS recipients to fully absorb into their communities and plan for their future. Furthermore, recent changes to TPS policies have made it more difficult for individuals to obtain or maintain TPS status. Policymakers need to consider these challenges and work to address them.
Current Status of TPS
Temporary Protected Service (TPS) is a constantly evolving program. As of 2021, over 400,000 individuals with TPS status live in the United States. These individuals are from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Under the current administration, several changes have been made to TPS policies. These include:
- Attempts to end TPS designations for certain countries.
- Restrictions on the ability of individuals with TPS status to obtain green cards.
- Shortening of TPS expiration dates for some countries.
All You Need to Know About TPS: How Long Does TPS Last?
Depending on the country of origin, TPS has varying expiration dates. For example, as of 2021, the TPS designation for Honduras expires on October 4, 2021, while the designation for Syria expires on March 31, 2022.
Staying up-to-date on changes to TPS policies and expiration dates is necessary for individuals with TPS status to continue benefiting from the program.
Conclusion
Temporary Protected Service (TPS) is a program that provides temporary protection from deportation to eligible individuals from certain countries. While TPS provides important benefits to eligible individuals, it is important to remember that it is a temporary program and does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship.
If you or someone you know is eligible for TPS, staying informed about changes to TPS policies and expiration dates is important. Additionally, it is important to advocate for policies that provide a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship for TPS recipients. By staying informed and engaged, we can work to improve the lives of individuals with TPS status and their families.
Do You Need to Talk to an Immigration Attorney About The TPS Program?
Contact an experienced immigration lawyer through us. Reach out to us by dialing 914-481-8822. Our immigration attorney will address your case and give you the information about all you need to know about temporary protected service (TPS)
