DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
On behalf of Immigration & Nationality Law Group | Sep 4, 2015 | Humanitarian Relief
On September 3, 2015, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced his decision to designate Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to the ongoing, widespread, armed conflict in the country that has resulted in a severe humanitarian emergency. This designation will allow nationals of Yemen (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) who are currently residing in the U.S. to apply for temporary protection.
DHS may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely due to conditions such as:
Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic
Other extraordinary and temporary conditions
During a designated period, individuals who are TPS beneficiaries, or who are found preliminarily eligible for TPS upon initial review of their cases:
Will not be removed from the United States
May receive an employment authorization document (EAD)
May be granted travel authorization
The TPS designation for Yemen will be in effect for 18 months, from September 3, 2015 through March 3, 2017.
Applicants from Yemen applying for TPS must register within the 180-day registration period running September 3, 2015 through March 1, 2016.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet all eligibility criteria, including that they have been both "continuously physically present" and "continuously residing" in the U.S. since September 3, 2015. Applicants will be required to undergo security checks, and individuals with certain criminal records or who pose a threat to national security will not be eligible for TPS.
For further information, or assistance in applying for TPS, please contact our office.