If you are in the country under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), you may be concerned about the recent news coverage announcing the end of TPS designations for certain countries. There is a great deal of fear in the air, and you may be confused about what to believe and what you can do.
The fact is that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the termination of protected status for many designated countries. Here we will review TPS regulations and give you a clearer idea your options.
What is TPS?
Within the next couple of years, the U.S. government is planning to remove all ten countries currently listed under TPS. For some people, protected status ends in the summer of 2018, but for others, their status will continue through fall of 2019. The end of TPS is supposed to mean that the conditions in a person’s home country are improving and that an emergency situation no longer exists.
The U.S. government designates countries for TPS for any of the following reasons:
- A civil war or other armed conflict with no end in sight
- An earthquake, epidemic or other natural disaster
- Political instability, economic strife or other temporary conditions
TPS protects recipients from deportation based on expired visas or lack of inspection documentations. Now that the temporary protection is going to end many people are at risk for deportation.
What are your options?
Prior to your acceptance under TPS, if you had a valid visa, you may be able to adjust your status, particularly if you have married or have immediate family members who have become lawful permanent residents of the United States. You may have other options to consider if you wish to remain in Colorado.
If you did not obtain legal status, you may be eligible to seek asylum or to apply for other forms of immigration relief. The best course of action is to contact an experienced immigration attorney and to avoid any immigration scams that prey on fear.