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Temporary Protected Status
Update 2.0 - Educator Resources
Temporary Protective Services is provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to help nationals from foreign countries attain temporary protection in the United States due to conditions in the foreign country that prevent the country's national from returning safely, or in certain circumstances where the country is unable to handle the return adequately. The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a country for Temporary Protective Services. Who is the Secretary? Chad F. Wolf On November 13, 2019, Chad F. Wolf was designated as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security by President Donald J. Trump and was also confirmed as the first Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY) To learn more about him go to Leadership of Homeland Security.
Classroom Resources
Ten countries are currently designated for TPS
El Salvador
Sudan
Somalia
South Sudan
Syria
Yemen
Haiti
Honduras
Nepal
Nicaragua
“Environmental justice recognizes that environmental racism has global and disproportionate impacts on sister communities, which are being subjected to toxic waste and industrial polluting production. For environmental justice community groups, organizers and advocates, the challenge is to protect all communities of color, regardless of their immigration status.” Arnoldo Garcia Refugees often seek asylum in the United States after facing devastating natural disasters and benefit from humanitarian programs such as Temporary Protective Services.
Beginning January 1st, 2022 deportation would begin for TPS holders as the Trump administration decided to put it to an end. According to the American Friends Service Committee, ending TPS would hurt communities across the U.S. TPS recipients are deeply integrated into our communities. Recipients from the three countries with the largest TPS populations alone have nearly 273,000 children who were born in the U.S. They provide emotional and financial support to loved ones, and shoulder responsibilities in schools, churches, and civic organizations. Thousands more work as nannies, caregivers for seniors or people with disabilities, and in other professions critical to the health and well-being of our communities.
Application Process
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements before beginning the application process. First step is to file a petition, once the application is submitted the USCIS will send a receipt notice with a number to check on the status of the case online. USCIS will contact the applicant for further steps including determination of work eligibility and if application was approved.
What happens to a TPS beneficiary when a TPS designation ends?
TPS beneficiaries return to the immigration status that the person held prior to receiving TPS, unless that status has expired or the person has successfully acquired a new immigration status. TPS beneficiaries who entered the United States without inspection and who are not eligible for other immigration benefits, for example, would return to being undocumented at the end of a TPS designation and become subject to removal.
What can we do to protect TPS?
The law creating Temporary Protected Status and the granting of the status to various countries was the result of massive years-long mobilizations across the country of immigrants and their allies. Bills have been introduced in Congress that would protect TPS holders. In June 2019, the House of Representatives passed the Dream and Promise Act, a bill that would offer a pathway to citizenship for people with TPS, DED, or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The Senate is now considering similar legislation.
Ways you can help!
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Contact your senators today. Ask them to pass humane immigration policies like the Dream and Promise Act that would create a roadmap to citizenship for TPS holders and all immigrants.
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Ask your local and state elected officials to publicly support TPS and pass resolutions supporting the program.
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Watch these stories of TPS holders and their families. Share them with others to build support for TPS. TPS Stories
