Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has designated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Although Haiti has had TPS designation since the country was shaken by a major earthquake in 2010, Haiti’s TPS status faced challenges under the Trump administration. As such, Mayorkas has issued a new, 18-month TPS designation for Haitians and individuals without nationality who last resided in Haiti.
“Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayorkas explained.
When Can I Apply?
If you were already in the United States as of May 21, 2021, and meet all other requirements – and you do not already have TPS – you should be eligible to apply soon.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
“Specific duration dates for the designation and instructions for applying for TPS will be included in the upcoming Federal Register notice on TPS Haiti.”
What If I Already Have TPS Benefits?
If you received TPS benefits from a previous designation or extension affecting Haiti, you may keep your TPS and TPS-related documents through October 4, 2021, or longer, depending on court orders. You will also be eligible to apply under the new designation when the Federal Register notice becomes available – and receive the entire 18-month period of protection from Mayorkas’ new designation.
If you have TPS benefits but did not file to re-register in 2015, 2017, or 2018, you can submit a late re-registration application with a “good cause” explanation for why you are late.
Start Planning Today
Once the Federal Register notice is published, you will only have a limited amount of time to apply for TPS benefits. If you want to apply, you can start planning with an experienced immigration attorney today. At Nathan Christensen P.C., we have been handling Temporary Protected Status cases for more than a decade, and we are ready to help you with affordable, client-centered legal services.
Our dedicated team can help you determine your eligibility for TPS and plan for the application process. When the time comes, we can also walk you through your application – from start to finish!
All you need to do is call us at (972) 497-1017 or contact us online today.