Immigration Resource

Temporary Protected Status Project

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to individuals who are unable to return home safely due civil war, natural disaster, or other conditions or circumstances preventing their return to their home country.

During the designated TPS period, TPS holders cannot be deported from the United States and cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of their immigration status. TPS holders are eligible for an employment authorization document (EAD) and for travel authorization.

Click here for our general TPS fact sheet.

CLINIC created a fact sheet on general questions on TPS eligibility and the application process.

February 5, 2025 – UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem terminated the 2023 designation for Venezuela. For those who received TPS for Venezuela under the 2023 designation, TPS is terminated. This termination is effective April 7, 2025. After April 7, 2025, nationals of Venezuela (and people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela) who have been granted TPS under the 2023 Venezuela designation will no longer have TPS.  

February 2, 2025 – UPDATE – The extension for Venezuelan TPS was vacated by new Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem.

January 17, 2025 – UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, announced the extension of designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan and Ukraine for 18 months beginning on April 20, 2025, and ending on October 19, 2026. Mayorkas also announced the extension of designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador which begins on March 10, 2025, and will remain in effect for 18 months, ending on September 9, 2026. Finally, Mayorkas announced the extension of designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela for 18 months beginning on beginning on April 3, 2025, and ending on October 2, 2026.

April 12, 2024 – UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from June 13, 2024, to December 12, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ethiopia that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about registering as a new first-time applicant or current beneficiary for TPS under Ethiopia’s extension and redesignation. 

March 22, 2024 – UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Burma (Myanmar) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, through Nov. 25, 2025. A Federal Register notice also provides automatic extension of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) of existing beneficiaries of Burma (Myanmar) TPS, through May 25, 2025. 

January 26, 2024 – UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, through Sept. 30 , 2025. A Federal Register notice also automatically extends through March 31, 2025, certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) of existing beneficiaries of Syria TPS.

October 6, 2023 UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from December 8, 2023, through June 7, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Cameroon that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about how to register as a new or current beneficiary for TPS under Cameroon’s extension and redesignation. Secretary Mayorkas made the decision to extend and redesignate TPS for this population in consultation with interagency partners and with careful consideration of conditions.

September 21, 2023 UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Nov. 21, 2023, to May 20, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Afghanistan that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about how to register for TPS as a new or current beneficiary under Afghanistan’s extension and redesignation.

September 20, 2023 UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Venezuela that prevent individuals from safely returning.

The forthcoming Federal Register notice will explain eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs, and for new applicants to submit an initial application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD.

September 8, 2023 UPDATE – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending from 60 days to 18 months the periods to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan.

The 18-month re-registration period under the designation of:

  • El Salvador now runs through March 9, 2025;
  • Haiti now runs through Aug. 3, 2024;
  • Honduras now runs through July 5, 2025;
  • Nepal now runs through June 24, 2025;
  • Nicaragua now runs through July 5, 2025; and
  • Sudan now runs through April 19, 2025.

This re-registration extension will allow TPS beneficiaries to submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, at any time during the 18-month extensions of the TPS designations of these six countries. 

September 5, 2023 UPDATE – The Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Nov. 4, 2023, through May 3, 2025. DHS also posted a Federal Register notice for public inspection.

August 18, 2023 UPDATE – On Aug. 18, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Ukraine for TPS for 18 months. The extension of TPS for Ukraine allows current beneficiaries to retain TPS through April 19, 2025, if they meet eligibility requirements.

Existing beneficiaries of TPS for Ukraine seeking to avoid gaps in their employment authorization documentation may re-register during the 60-day re-registration period which runs from Aug. 21, 2023, through Oct. 20, 2023. The redesignation allows Ukrainian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine) who have continuously resided in the United States since Aug. 16, 2022, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since Oct. 20, 2023, to file initial applications for TPS, if they are otherwise eligible.

June 21, 2023 UPDATE – On June 21, 2023, DHS published Federal Register notices (FRNs) announcing the rescission of the 2017 and 2018 terminations of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua effective June 9, 2023, and extend the TPS designations of:

  • El Salvador for 18 months, from Sept. 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from July 12, 2023, through Sept. 10, 2023);
  • Honduras for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024);
  • Nepal for 18 months, from Dec. 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Oct. 24, 2023, through Dec. 23, 2023); and
  • Nicaragua for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024).

June 13, 2023 UPDATE – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced his decision to rescind the 2017 and 2018 terminations of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua effective June 9, 2023, and extend the TPS designations of:

  • El Salvador for 18 months, from Sept. 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from July 12, 2023, through Sept. 10, 2023);
  • Honduras for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024);
  • Nepal for 18 months, from Dec. 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Oct. 24, 2023, through Dec. 23, 2023); and
  • Nicaragua for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025 (60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024).

Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period for their country’s designation. Please do not re-register for TPS until the re-registration period for your country begins. USCIS cannot adjudicate your application before the effective date of the extension. For additional information, please see the news release: DHS Rescinds Prior Administration’s Termination of Temporary Protected Status Designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.

For older updates, visit our TPS history article.

Countries Currently Designated for TPS

Select the country link for additional specific country information.

For a full and up-to-date list of countries currently qualifying an individual for TPS, please see the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website. 

Immigration Scams

Source: USCIS

Many firms and people offer help with immigration services. Unfortunately, not all are authorized to do so. 

Don’t let notarios and scammers take advantage of you: This one-page resource highlights the common types of scams immigrants are exposed to when seeking assistance with their immigration matter. Share this document to help your community avoid these harmful practices.

 

Information about Immigration Scams from the Minnesota Attorney General:

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Citizenship & Naturalization

Naturalization Interview and Test: Episode 1 – Preparing for the Naturalization Interview and Test
Source: USCIS YouTube

Other video resources on USCIS’s YouTube page:

Below are basic guidelines to attaining U.S. citizenship. If you are interested in receiving citizenship from ILCM, please refer to our eligibility and intake requirements.

The information below is all included in our Fact Sheet on Citizenship and Naturalization.

Eligibility Requirements for U.S. Citizenship

To be eligible for citizenship or naturalization, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be 18 years old or older.
  • You must have been a legal permanent resident (LPR or green card holder) for 5 years, or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.
    • If you served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible even if you are not a legal permanent resident.
    • If you are a refugee, your 5 years begins on the date you entered the United States.
  • You must be physically present in the United States for at least half of the required residency period (3 or 5 years).
  • You must not have moved to another country or left the United States for more than 6 months at one time.
  • You must have good moral character.
  • You must take a test of U.S. history and government.
  • You must read, write, and speak basic English. There are a few exceptions:
    • To take the U.S. history and government test in your native language, you must be 55 years old and have been a legal permanent resident for at least 15 years, OR be 50 years of age and a legal permanent resident for at least 20 years.
    • To take a simplified version of the U.S. history and government test, you must be 65 years of age and have been a legal permanent resident for at least 20 years.
    • You can be exempted from some or all of the educational requirements if a doctor or psychologist adequately completes a form (N-648) for you indicating you have a condition(s) that makes it impossible for you to learn English and/or to take the U.S. history and government test.
  • You must swear loyalty to the United States in front of a judge.

Barriers to Becoming a US Citizen

See an immigration law attorney before applying for citizenship if any of the following is true.

  • You made trips out of the United States that lasted longer than 6 months.
  • You moved to another country since receiving your green card.
  • You are in deportation (removal) proceedings, or have been deported.
  • You have not filed you federal income taxes.
  • You have not provided financial support for your children.
  • You are a male and have not registered with the Selective Service.
  • You have been arrested, convicted, or have committed a crime.
  • You have ever been involved with drugs, prostitution, polygamy, firearms, domestic abuse, or child abuse.
  • You committed fraud to enter the United States or get your green card, or you were not eligible when you originally got your green card.
  • You lied or committed fraud to receive public benefits.
  • You falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
  • You helped someone enter the United States illegally.

Advantages of U.S. Citizenship

  • You can file to bring family members, such as children, parents, and siblings to live in the United States.
  • The process of reuniting your spouse and children usually will be much faster if you are a citizen.
  • Becoming a U.S. citizen can help your children. Any of your unmarried LPR children living with you under 18 years old will automatically become citizens when you do.
  • You can vote in all elections.
  • You can be elected to public office.
  • You can live and travel outside of the United States without losing your citizenship.
  • Many federal jobs require you to be a U.S. citizen.
  • Traveling to some foreign countries may be easier for a citizen of the United States.

Disadvantages of U.S. Citizenship

  • You may lose your citizenship in your native country, unless your native country allows you to have dual citizenship (citizenship in 2 countries).
  • If you become a citizen, you may have difficulty maintaining ownership of property in another country.
  • You may lose your right to vote in your native country.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

This fact sheet is current as of January 31, 2025. It is not legal advice.

Haga click aquí para esta hoja informativa en español.   

ILCM is not taking any initial DACA applications at this time. ILCM is still taking DACA renewal cases. 

USCIS updated its DACA Frequently Asked Questions on 10/23/2024. The guidance includes: 

  • Initial DACA applications and associated applications for work authorization may be filed, but will not be decided, due to court orders. While applications remain pending, USCIS will not refund filing fees. 
  • Someone who was previously granted DACA but did not request renewal within one year of the expiration cannot apply for renewal.  Someone in this situation could apply for DACA by submitting an initial application. USCIS can keep an application pending, but is prohibited from approving these applications. 
  • USCIS has cancelled all biometrics appointments for initial applications. Renewal applicants and applicants for advance parole should attend scheduled biometrics appointments. 
  • If you are a current DACA recipient, your grant of deferred action and related work authorization, as well as any DACA advance parole document issued, will remain in effect and will expire according to their existing terms. Any requests for renewals of those grants are now governed by the regulations at 8 CFR 236.21-236.25 and not the 2012 Napolitano Memorandum. 

 

Background and Timeline 

January 17, 2025 The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on the case challenging the legality of DACA. This case challenged the federal regulation establishing DACA, which was formalized by the Biden administration in August 2022, with an effective date of October 31, 2022. The district court said that regulation is illegal.

The Fifth Circuit decided that the district court decision was partly right and partly needs further consideration. The Fifth Circuit sent the case back to the district court for further consideration. The district court may reconsider the case on remand and issue other rulings.

The Fifth Circuit also preserved the stay that allows present DACA holders to continue in that status and to renew their status.

The Fifth Circuit decision may be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A long line of legal challenges to DACA dates back to the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA in 2017.

October 10, 2024: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on the legality of DACA, as established in a Federal Regulation by the Biden administration in 2022.  

The district court ruled that regulation is illegal.  

The Fifth Circuit will decide whether the district court decision is right or wrong. The Fifth Circuit decision could come at any time.  Whatever the Fifth Circuit decides may be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

October 6, 2022: The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decided the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, as established by the Obama administration in a memorandum issued by then-Attorney General Janet Napolitano, was unlawful. The decision came in the context of an appeal of a July 2021 district court decision.   

Significantly for current DACA holders, the appeals court allowed the Biden administration to continue processing and approving renewal applications while the litigation continues. However, hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth who have become eligible since 2017 and others who were never able to apply remain locked out of the program. 

Read ILCM’s FAQ fact sheet here: https://www.ilcm.org/latest-news/daca-frequently-asked-questions/

August 24, 2022: The Biden administration announced a final version of the DACA rule that it initially proposed in 2021. The rule codified the 2012 Napolitano memo establishing DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), putting DACA into the Federal Register as an official regulation, effective October 31, 2022. 

The entire 435-page rule is available here— https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2022-18401/deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals —and is summarized in a much-shorter press release from the Department of Homeland Security here. 

This new rule did not expand eligibility, or re-open DACA for first time applicants. Nor did it authorize processing applications from the nearly 80,000 young people who applied in 2021 and are awaiting a decision on their cases. This new rule did not impact the status of current DACA recipients. Immigrant youth who have aged into eligibility since 2017 and hundreds of thousands of other immigrants who were never able to apply remain locked out of the program. 

“DACA is right and legal and it has helped hundreds of thousands of young people finish school, apply for a work permit, and be protected from detention and deportation,” said Jenny Stohl Powell, ILCM executive director. “Current DACA recipients should continue to file for renewal well in advance of the expiration of their DACA status. Everyone should beware of any social media or other messages offering to process applications under the new rule or reserve ‘a place in line.’ No new applications will be accepted because of pending litigation, and there is no line.” 

On September 5, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the administration was rescinding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, commonly known as DACA. The rescission was effective on March 5, 2018. 

While the Attorney General’s announcement said that no renewals would be allowed after October 5, 2017, federal courts reversed that order, allowing  people who have DACA to apply for renewal. 

Congress has not acted to extend DACA or to pass a Dream Act. 

No new DACA applications are being accepted now. That could change, too. To keep up with the latest developments on DACA and other immigration issues, follow ILCM on Facebook and Twitter. 

The original DACA program was established on June 15, 2012, when the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and met several guidelines could request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal.