Last week I reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had decided to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Honduras and Nicaragua.
Today the DHS published an official notice in the Federal Register for each country and provided instructions on the re-registration process. A copy of the official notification for Honduras can be read here. here and for Nicaragua here.
It is estimated that there are approximately 57,000 Hondurans and 2,550 Nicaraguans currently protected under TPS who may be eligible for TPS re-registration.
Persons from these countries who are already registered will be able to remain legally in the United States for another 18 months from July 6, 2016 through January 5, 2018. In addition, the validity of work permits under TPS that expire on July 5, 2016 will be automatically extended until January 5, 2017.
The re-registration period begins today, May 16 and ends on Friday, July 15, 2016. If you do not register during the re-registration period, you may lose your TPS.
To re-register, Hondurans and Nicaraguans must submit to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Forms I-821 e I-765 and send the corresponding fees.
If you do not have enough money to file because you are unemployed, earn below the poverty level, or receive public benefits such as Medicaid, Medi-Cal, or food stamps, you may be eligible to apply for a fee waiver.
If you need to renew your work permit, submit your renewal application immediately so that USCIS can provide you with a new work permit. formerly July 5, 2016 when the current permit expires. Print a copy of the official TPS extension notice in case your employer needs to verify that your work permit has been automatically extended.
Persons who have been found guilty of two misdemeanors or one felony. no are eligible for TPS.
Examples of misdemeanors are drunk driving and committing acts of domestic violence, among others. Consult with an immigration attorney before submitting your re-registration if you have been arrested or found guilty of any crime, including driving without a license.
Hondurans and Nicaraguans never before registered for TPS may be eligible for late registration if they meet the proper requirements. One of them is to demonstrate that they have lived in the United States continuously since December 30, 1998 and have been physically in the country since January 5, 1999.
The TPS no leads to permanent residency in the United States. Someday the program will end.
When TPS ends, you will revert to your previous immigration status, such as being undocumented. If you have no other legal option to stay in the United States, you will be subject to removal from the country.
Consult with an immigration attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your legal options for permanent residency.
