Recent Changes to Temporary Protected Status Pertaining to Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti
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Peze la pou tradui nan Kreyol Ayisyen
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently made important announcements impacting the rights of people from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti who receive Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Honduras and Nicaragua were originally designated for TPS in 1999, after the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch while Haiti’s original designation for TPS was issued in 2010 following the effects of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake. The TPS designation has permitted Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Haitian nationals to live and work in the United States legally, to own homes and businesses, and to establish family roots.
Catholic Migration Services urges anyone who receives TPS for Honduras, Nicaragua, or Haiti to call our office and schedule an appointment for a free legal consultation.
The DHS Determination for TPS Holders from Honduras
The Department of Homeland Security announced that additional information is necessary regarding the TPS designation for Honduras, and therefore it has made no determination regarding Honduras at this time. As a result of the inability to make a determination, the TPS designation for Honduras will be automatically extended for six months from the current January 8, 2018 date of expiration to the new expiration date of July 5, 2018. TPS recipients from Honduras must re-register with DHS between December 15, 2017 and February 13, 2018.
TPS beneficiaries are reminded that, prior to July 5, 2018, the Secretary will review the conditions in Honduras and decide whether to extend or terminate the TPS designation. During this period, beneficiaries are encouraged to prepare for their return to Honduras in the event Honduras’ designation is not extended again and if they have no other lawful basis for remaining in the United States, including requesting updated travel documents from the Government of Honduras.
The DHS Determination for TPS Holders from Nicaragua
The Department of Homeland Security announced that the TPS designation for Nicaragua will terminate on January 5, 2019. At that time, nationals of Nicaragua (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) who have been granted TPS under the Nicaragua designation will no longer have TPS.
Nationals of Nicaragua (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) who have been granted TPS and wish to maintain their TPS and receive TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) valid through January 5, 2019, must re-register for TPS. The 60-day re-registration period runs from December 15, 2017 through February 13, 2018. (NOTE: It is important for re-registrants to timely re-register during this 60-day period and not to wait until their EADs expire).
The DHS Determination for TPS Holders from Haiti
The Department of Homeland Security announced on November 20, 2017 that the TPS designation for Haiti will terminate on July 22, 2019. At that time, nationals of Haiti (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti) who have been granted TPS under the Haiti designation will no longer have TPS.
Nationals of Haiti (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti) who have been granted TPS and wish to maintain their TPS must re-register. Information about re-registration will be published in the Federal Register. No Federal Register Notice has been issued as of November 21, 2017. Please check this website periodically for updates regarding the renewal process.
How Anyone Can Advocate on Behalf of TPS Recipients
We urge the community to contact your local representatives and inform them to maintain this critical humanitarian protection. Take action by writing a letters(s) to the Administration and your local members of Congress requesting an extension of TPS; share stories; and learn more.
Catholic Migration Services is a non-profit organization that offers free immigration, employment, and housing legal services to Brooklyn and Queens residents. Please continue to visit our website at catholicmigration.org for further updates and important information about the government’s immigration policies.
