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Temporary Status & Protection

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

If your home country has been designated by the U.S. government, you may be eligible to remain and work legally in the United States under TPS. We help you assess your eligibility and file your application correctly.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration relief designed for individuals who cannot safely return to their home country due to armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. From Miami, Attorney Jesus Reyes guides Venezuelan, Haitian, Honduran, and other immigrant communities through the TPS process. With TPS, you can work legally, remain protected from deportation, and build stability for your family while conditions in your home country are resolved.

What is TPS?

Temporary Protected Status is a program established by Congress that allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate foreign countries for protection when there is ongoing armed conflict, an environmental or other natural disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Once a country is designated, nationals of that country who are already present in the U.S. may apply for TPS.

TPS beneficiaries receive protection from deportation and are eligible for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allows them to work legally for any U.S. employer. TPS is renewed periodically — typically every 6, 12, or 18 months — depending on conditions in the designated country. Staying current with re-registration deadlines is essential to maintaining your status.

It is important to understand that TPS does not provide a direct path to permanent residency or citizenship. However, in some cases TPS beneficiaries may qualify for other forms of immigration relief simultaneously. Attorney Jesus Reyes reviews each case holistically to identify every available option for you and your family.

Who qualifies for TPS?

To be eligible for TPS, you must meet the following principal requirements established by USCIS:

  • Be a national of a currently designated TPS country (or a stateless person who last habitually resided in a designated country).
  • Have continuously resided in the United States since the effective date of your country's most recent designation.
  • Have been physically present in the U.S. on the date of the most recent designation and at the time of filing.
  • Have no convictions for aggravated felonies or two or more misdemeanors in the United States.
  • Not be subject to any of the bars to TPS that apply under immigration law.
  • File during the active registration or re-registration period established by USCIS for your country.

TPS Application Process

01

Consultation and eligibility review

In a consultation of up to 30 minutes with Attorney Jesus Reyes, we review your nationality, entry date, immigration history, and criminal background to confirm TPS eligibility and identify whether additional immigration pathways are available to you.

02

Document gathering and Form I-821 preparation

We compile the required documents — passport or national ID, evidence of continuous presence in the U.S. (utility bills, tax returns, school records, etc.) — and prepare Form I-821 (TPS Application) and Form I-765 (Employment Authorization) with full accuracy.

03

Filing with USCIS and fee payment

We submit the complete application to USCIS within the active registration window, along with applicable filing fees or, where eligible, a fee waiver request. You receive a Form I-797 receipt notice confirming the case is in process.

04

Biometrics, case monitoring, and EAD receipt

USCIS will schedule you for biometrics. We monitor your case and respond to any Requests for Evidence (RFE). Once approved, you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and deportation protection for the duration of the TPS period.

Frequently Asked Questions About TPS

Which countries are currently designated for TPS?+

As of 2024–2025, countries with active TPS designations include Venezuela (two separate designations), El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Syria, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, Afghanistan, and Yemen, among others. Designations can change — new countries may be added or existing periods extended. Contact us to confirm the current status for your country.

Does TPS lead to a green card?+

Not directly. TPS is a temporary protection and does not by itself create a path to permanent residency. However, if you have an approved family or employment petition, or qualify for another form of relief, TPS can coexist with that process. Attorney Jesus Reyes will evaluate whether a path to permanent residency exists in your specific case.

Can I travel outside the U.S. with TPS?+

Travel with TPS requires you to first obtain Travel Authorization by filing Form I-131. Departing the U.S. without this authorization can result in losing your TPS and becoming subject to removal. It is essential to consult with an immigration attorney before planning any international travel.

What if my TPS expires before I can renew it?+

USCIS typically issues automatic extensions for beneficiaries who file their re-registration on time. If you file within the established window, your status and EAD are automatically extended while the renewal is processed. Missing re-registration deadlines is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes — our Miami office tracks these dates for you.

Does TPS protect my children born in another country?+

Each family member who is a national of a designated country must file their own individual TPS application, including minor children. Children born in the United States are U.S. citizens and do not need TPS. If you have children from another country living with you in the U.S., contact us to evaluate their situation.

Related Services

Political Asylum

If your life or freedom are at risk in your home country, you may qualify for asylum — a more permanent protection than TPS.

Humanitarian Parole

For urgent family reunification or medical emergencies, humanitarian parole may be another avenue of protection.

Deportation Defense

If you or a family member has received a removal order, our team can represent you before the Immigration Court.

Your situation has a solution.

Schedule a consultation of up to 30 minutes with Attorney Jesus Reyes and learn your legal options. $200.

Schedule Consultation — $200

Or call: (888) 644-3683