The Department of Homeland Security announced today that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been extended for people from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti and Sudan. Hondurans are NOT covered by the extension. The extension was issued in compliance with a court order growing out of a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from ending TPS for people from the four countries. Unfortunately, the TPS programs are only being extended until January 2, 2020.
In Ramos, et al. v. Nielsen, a Federal District court found evidence that the Trump Administration had decided to end TPS for improper reasons, including racial prejudice against people from those countries. This short extension of TPS is designed to meet the requirements of the court order. For some with TPS, for example those from El Salvador, the extension will add less than half a year to their status.
Those eligible include people from those countries who already have TPS and those who had TPS and did not renew their status. For those with a currently valid TPS work authorization, their status is automatically extended until January 2 of 2020. If the person wants a new work authorization issued with the January 2, 2020 date on it, a new Form I-765 application for work authorization may be submitted.
If someone from the four countries had TPS but did not renew during the last TPS renewal period, that person may file a “Late Renewal” so long as there is “good cause” for the failure to renew.
For those who need a legal services agency to fill out the required forms, both Catholic Charities and CARECEN provide this service for a small fee. CARECEN Hempstead can be reached at 516-489-8330 and Brentwood at 631-273-8721. Catholic Charities may be reached at 631-273-8759.
More info may be found here.
