Tuscaloosa Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Lawyer

When the Department of Homeland Security decides that a country or region is to be assigned “temporary protected status,” this means that individuals who are citizens of these countries or last resided in these places might be eligible to remain in the U.S. and work here for a certain period. While temporary protected status does not automatically pave a path to a visa or a green card, individuals who have secured this status can still be eligible to seek these benefits, depending on their underlying set of circumstances.

A Tuscaloosa temporary protected status lawyer could help you apply for TPS and seek immigrant or non-immigrant status through the best available method. You must meet very specific requirements to qualify for TPS, so even if you are a national of the designated country, there is no guarantee you can obtain this benefit. Therefore, discussing your options with an experienced immigration attorney should be a priority.

Prerequisites to Apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

To have grounds to initiate the temporary protected status process, a foreign national must be a citizen of a country that has been assigned this status, or they must be a stateless person whose last residence was in a TPS country. The currently assigned TPS countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. Various circumstances may cause the U.S. government to assign a country TPS status, such as a war or a natural hazard.

Notably, individuals who are entitled to secure TPS cannot be deported while this status remains in force, regardless of whether they were previously documented or not. Individuals who have TPS may also be eligible to apply for a work permit. While TPS protection is not indefinite, beneficiaries can renew their status when their specific country’s registration period opens again, assuming that the country retains its assigned temporary protected status. When a country is no longer assigned TPS, there may be other options for the individual to remain in the U.S. that a Tuscaloosa attorney could help them review and pursue.

Additional Requirements to Consider

Besides being a citizen of a TPS country or a stateless individual who last resided in a TPS country, there are other requirements to claim this benefit. The individual must submit their TPS application during an open registration window for their country or be eligible for late filing. The applicant must, except for short periods outside the U.S., have physically remained and resided in the country since their homeland was last assigned TPS. Our legal team could help with proving eligibility based on these criteria.

Overview of the Application Process for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Certain circumstances can hinder approval for temporary protected status. For example, if the applicant has been convicted of a crime, has not maintained their presence and residence in the U.S. during the period leading up to the submission of the TPS application, or files too late based on the assigned deadline for their TPS country, this could result in a denial. A Tuscaloosa lawyer could review someone’s circumstances to advise whether they qualify for TPS and help them avoid errors or filing mistakes that could derail the success of their application.

Compiling Evidence and Submitting an Application

An attorney could help an applicant collect the full range of evidence and documentation required to seek TPS, including proof of nationality, entry, and residence in the U.S., as well as submit the petition for temporary protected status. In addition to ensuring a complete and detailed application, an attorney could assist someone with preparing for their application interview and submitting paperwork to seek a work permit. Legal representation could also assist with re-registering the individual’s TPS in the designated filing window for their country of origin.

Consult with a Tuscaloosa Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Attorney

If you come from a qualifying country and want to take advantage of temporary protected status in the U.S., you should remember that you can work with a skilled attorney to make your immigration goals a reality. To get started on reviewing your circumstances and applying for this protection, call a Tuscaloosa temporary protected status (TPS) lawyer. Our experienced team can answer questions, assess your unique situation, and explain everything you need to know about your case process.