USCIS Designates Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, has issued an 18-month designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti due to the recent earthquake which occured on January 12, 2010.  Haitian nationals (and other individuals without nationality, who last habitually resided in Haiti) in the United States are unable to safely return to their country and are eligible for TPS.  TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to certain nationals whose home country has experienced temporary negative conditions, which prevents nationals of the country from returning safely to their country.  TPS beneficiaries are permitted to remain in the U.S. and obtain work authorization for a temporary period (18 months).  Applications for TPS for Haiti must be filed within the 180-day registration period.  Contact our office for more information on TPS for Haitian nationals.