Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, announced that the deadline for temporary protected status (TPS) has been extended to Nepal for an additional 18 months, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This extension will be effective on December 25, 2016 and will remain until June 24, 2018. Registration for TPS began on October 26,2016 and will complete on December 27, 2016.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services urges you to file during this 60-day registration window as soon as possible.
What is Temporary Protected Status?
The Department of Homeland Security may choose to allow certain countries temporary protected status, or TPS, that are unsafe for a citizen to return home. TPS allows that country to nationals of those countries who are currently in on U.S. soil. Protected status may also extend to those who had been last living in a designated country.
A country may be given TPS for conditions such as:
- Civil war or continued armed
- A natural disaster that disrupts the country’s infrastructure
- Citizens face persecution due to religious beliefs, race, ethnicity, gender, etc.
- Any other conditions, either temporary or extraordinary
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will also be extended employment authorization documents (EAD) under TPS designation for citizens of Nepal, until June 24, 2017. You will be covered by the extension if your TPS designation under Nepal had an original expiration date of December 24, 2017. Employers will require this authorization if you will be continuing to work in the U.S.
You will need to provide these items:
- Your EAD, showing TPS designation for Nepal, and a December 24, 2016 expiration
- A copy of the Federal Register notice with the announcement regarding the extension
If you have any questions, one of our Cleveland immigration lawyers at Sintsirmas & Mueller Co. L.P.A. can walk you through the process. We are immigration firm dedicated to helping people achieve the American Dream.
Contact us today by calling (888) 491-8770 to schedule an appointment.
