The Department of Homeland Security will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Nicaragua and Honduras until January 5, 2012.
Eligible nationals of a country (or persons without nationality who last habitually resided in that specific country) designated for TPS under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) are granted a temporary immigration status. During the period of TPS designation, TPS beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States and may obtain work authorization if they continue to meet the terms and conditions of TPS status. TPS does not lead to permanent resident status. Once the TPS designation is terminated, beneficiaries return to the same status they maintained before obtaining TPS, if that status has not expired or been terminated, or to any other status obtained while registered for TPS.
TPS for nationals of Honduras and Nicaragua was set to expire on July 5, 2010. However, the conditions that prompted the initial TPS designation in 1999, the environmental disaster caused by Hurricane Mitch, persist and temporarily prevent Honduras and Nicaragua from adequately handing the return of their nationals. Therefore, the Secretary of Homeland Security has concluded that an 18 month extension is warranted.
Hondurans and Nicaraguans must re-register for TPS benefits during the 60-day re-registration period beginning May 5 and ending July 6, 2010. Failure to re-register during the re-registration period without good cause will result in a withdrawal of TPS benefits.
Please visit the USCIS Web site at http://www.uscis.com/ for further information about eligibility and application procedures.
Information for this article was obtained from the USCIS Web site at www.uscis.gov.
