President-elect Trump has suggested his administration will scale back the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. Over 1 million immigrants are in the United States under this status. Qualifying individuals from 17 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Venezuela, and most recently, Lebanon, are among those eligible for the program, to date.
TPS offers qualifying individuals already in the U.S. work authorization and a temporary legal status to remain in the country if their home country is determined unsafe. Venezuelans, Haitians, and Salvadorans are the largest groups of TPS beneficiaries. Another program, humanitarian parole, is also in question.
TPS offers up to 18 months of relief to qualifying individuals, with some extended, based on the status of that country. The TPS program for El Salvador ends in March 2025. For Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela, the TPS program is scheduled to end in April 2025. However, federal regulations stated designations can be terminated prior to expiration. 60 days’ notice is required if a TPS program is ended prior to the expiration date.
In Trump’s previous administration, some TPS programs were set to expire, without renewal. Legal challenges ensued, with courts blocking expiration for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan well into President Biden’s term. Those programs were renewed under Biden. Experts suggest removing employment authorization for more than a million people in the country under TPS programs would drastically affect the U.S. economy.
The TPS program was established by Congress in 1990, in part as a response to civil war in El Salvador. Upon leaning some Salvadorans deported back to the country were tortured and executed, the temporary program was created. It is not a pathway to U.S. permanent residence or citizenship. However, individuals can try to change their immigration status while under the program.
If you have questions about the temporary protection status or any other U.S. immigration topic, contact us. Take advantage of the opportunity to pursue options prior to programs expiring. Our team of experienced attorneys work directly with our clients to ensure they get the right advice for their particular situation.
