IMMIGRATION UPDATE AS OF: Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Immigration Update Pertaining to Cameroon and the Designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Cameroon has been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for 18 months, effective June 7, 2022 through December 7, 2023.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
What does this announcement mean?
The designation of TPS for Cameroon allows Cameroonian nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in the Cameroon) who have continuously resided in the United States since April 14, 2022 to file an initial application for TPS, as long as they meet eligibility requirements. Please note that those who travel to the United States after April 14, 2022, are not be eligible for TPS. Individuals granted TPS are not removable from the United States, can obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit, Social Security Number, and may be granted travel authorization.
When can I apply for TPS?
The registration period for eligible individuals begins on June 7, 2022 and will remain in effect through December 7, 2023.
How do I apply?
We recommend consulting a lawyer to determine if you are eligible to apply for TPS and to learn more about what documents you need to include in your application.
If you have questions, please call Catholic Migration Services (CMS) at (718) 236-3000, extension 2015, or you can e-mail us at immigrationassistance@catholicmigration.org with your name, phone number and the languages you speak. Please note that CMS will not be scheduling new legal consultations until August 2022.
In the meantime, you can also contact Action NYC at (800) 354-0365 – Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – to connect with City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help.
Click here to download this update as a PDF: Immigration Update Pertaining to Cameroon and the Designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
