DHS Designates Haitian Foreign Nationals as Eligible for TPS

August 17, 2021

The Department of Homeland has designated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective Aug. 3, 2021, through Feb. 3, 2023.

The designation of Haiti for TPS allows approximately 55,000 current beneficiaries covered under the Ramos and Saget preliminary injunctions to newly apply for TPS under this designation and retain TPS through Feb. 3, 2023, if they are otherwise eligible.

The new designation of Haiti for TPS also enables an estimated 100,000 additional individuals who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 29, 2021, to file initial applications to obtain TPS. Considering recent events in Haiti, specifically the July assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas modified the cut-off date for eligibility from what was previously announced to now be July 29, 2021. Individuals who attempt to travel to the U.S. after July 29, 2021, will not be eligible for TPS and will be subject to expulsion or removal.

DHS explained the procedures necessary to submit an initial registration application under the designation and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

In addition, TPS and TPS-related documentation, including EADs, continue to be valid through Oct. 4, 2021, for eligible beneficiaries of TPS Haiti affected by the Ramos and Saget preliminary injunctions.

USCIS recently announced that online filing is available for certain TPS applicants. TPS applicants who are eligible nationals of Haiti, or individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti, can now file an Application for Temporary Protected Status, online. When filing an initial TPS application, applicants can also request an EAD by submitting a completed Application for Employment Authorization, with their Form I-821. These applications are the first forms available for concurrent filing online.

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TAGS: DHS, Haiti, TPS