Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Who Qualifies and What It Provides

April 29, 2025

Understanding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian immigration benefit granted by the U.S. government to eligible nationals of designated countries experiencing conditions that temporarily prevent safe return. At Jeffrey Y. Bennett Law, we assist individuals and families in understanding and applying for TPS, helping them navigate complex immigration laws with clarity and care.

Who Qualifies for TPS?

The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a country for TPS due to:

Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
Environmental disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, epidemics)
Extraordinary and temporary conditions that make return unsafe

To qualify for TPS, applicants must:

Be a national of a TPS-designated country, or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in that country.
Be physically present in the U.S. since the date designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Have continuously resided in the U.S. since a specific date outlined in the designation.
Apply during the initial registration or re-registration period, or meet certain exceptions for late filing.
Not have certain criminal convictions or be deemed inadmissible on other security-related grounds.

What Benefits Does TPS Provide?

TPS is not a path to permanent residence, but it offers significant protection and benefits, including:

Protection from deportation while TPS is in effect.
Eligibility to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allowing recipients to work legally in the U.S.
Authorization to apply for travel documents, including advance parole for international travel.
Re-registration opportunities when DHS extends a country’s TPS designation.

While TPS does not lead to a green card by itself, recipients may pursue other immigration options (like asylum or family-based petitions) if eligible.