
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Honduras and Nicaragua for an additional 18 months, beginning January 6, 2015, and ending July 5, 2016. This allows Hondurans and Nicaraguans who already have TPS to renew their status.
The 60-day re-registration period runs from October 16, 2014 through December 15, 2014.
According to a release from the USCIS Department of Homeland Security:
Current TPS Nicaragua [and Honduras] beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from Oct. 16, 2014 through Dec. 15, 2014. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible once the 60-day re-registration period begins. USCIS will not accept applications before Oct. 16, 2014.
The 18-month extension also allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Eligible TPS Nicaragua [and Honduras] beneficiaries (or persons without nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) who re-register during the 60-day period and request a new EAD will receive one with an expiration date of July 5, 2016.
There are between 1,000 and 2,000 Hondurans and a smaller number of Nicaraguans living on Long Island who are eligible for this renewal program.
It is extremely urgent that people with TPS renew as soon as possible.
For help, call CARECEN at 516-489-8330 in Nassau or 631-273-8759 in Suffolk, or Catholic Charities at 631-789-5210.