The US Department of Homeland Security has approved TPS (Temporary Protected Status for Haitians) for 18 months. U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will process immigration applications for TPS filed by nationals of Haiti (and other individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti). Additional information was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 21, 2010 announcing the Secretary’s decision to designate TPS for Haiti. DHS estimates that approximately 100,000 to 200,000 individuals will be eligible for TPS.
Q. What is Temporary Protected Status?
TPS is granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security to eligible nationals of a certain country (or persons without nationality who last habitually lived in that country) who have experienced temporary negative conditions, such as armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions, that prevent nationals of the country from returning safely or for the country to handle their return adequately. TPS allows for beneficiaries to remain in the United States and legally work for a set time period until they can safely return home. (See Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. § 1254a.)