WHAT IS TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS)?
Temporary Protected States (TPS) is a designation that the United States government provides to a foreign country due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning.
What are some examples of temporary conditions that may cause the US government to designate a country for TPS?
- Ongoing armed conflict (such as a war)
- Environmental disasters (such as an earthquake)
- An epidemic
Once a country is designated, individuals already in the United States may apply for TPS during the registration period. It is important to note that while individuals who are granted TPS by the US government are allowed to temporarily stay in the United States and obtain a work permit, TPS does not directly lead to the ability to permanently reside in the United States. TPS is not a path to lawful permanent residency (green card), nor is it a path to citizenship. Even so, many people would benefit from this important protection.
