Due to the civil and economic strife caused by last week’s earthquake in Haiti, USCIS will offer Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) to Haitians who are currently in the United States.  TPS is a humanitarian action which will permit Haitians who otherwise do not have any status or legal authority to remain in the U.S. for period of at least 18 months (which may be extended).  It can also be a basis for suspending removal proceedings.  Most importantly, it will allow affected Haitians to apply for work authorization.  It is NOT an avenue for permanent residence, however, as TPS will terminate once the period of economic strife ends.  USCIS estimates that over 100,000 Haitians will benefit from TPS.

There is a deadline for applying for TPS, so if you think you qualify, you must act quickly.

Other steps USCIS is considering in order to assist Haitians include: 

• Implement procedures to adjudicate favorably, where possible, applications for change or extension of nonimmigrant status following the expiration of an applicant’s period of admission;
• Grant an additional period of parole or advance parole in appropriate cases;
• Authorize “F” nonimmigrant students’ requests for off-campus employment work authorization;
• Expedite the processing of advance parole (AP) application and relative petitions for minor children from affected areas; and
• Grant employment authorization where appropriate.