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Department of Homeland Security Extends Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela

January 13, 2025
Ana Valenzuela

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced extensions of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals from El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela. These extensions provide critical protection for individuals from these countries who are currently residing in the United States and are unable to return safely due to ongoing conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. 

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)? 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian relief program established by the U.S. government that allows nationals from certain countries experiencing extreme conditions to live and work in the United States without the fear of deportation. TPS is granted to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements and provides temporary protection for a designated period of time, which can be extended by the U.S. Government as needed. Individuals may need to re-register their TPS status, if previously received, in order to benefit from the extension of their status. Individuals with TPS are permitted to stay in the U.S., apply for work authorization, and are protected from removal until the designation for their country expires or is revoked. 

TPS provides several benefits to eligible individuals: 

  • Protection from Deportation: TPS beneficiaries are protected from deportation during the designated period. 
  • Work Authorization: TPS recipients can obtain work permits to legally work in the United States. 
  • Travel Authorization: TPS beneficiaries can obtain authorization to travel outside the United States. 

Each country designated for TPS is evaluated periodically to assess whether the conditions warrant the continuation or extension of the program. The program is designed to offer relief to individuals affected by ongoing crises in their home countries. 

Details of the Extensions 

The DHS has made the following extensions for nationals from El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela: 

  1. El Salvador: Nationals of El Salvador who have been granted TPS will have their status extended until September 9, 2026. This is in recognition of ongoing security issues, gang violence, and humanitarian challenges within the country.
  2. Sudan: TPS for Sudanese nationals has been extended 18 months from April 20, 2025 through October 19, 2026, due to the ongoing conflict and violence in Sudan that has created unsafe conditions for its citizens. 
  3. Ukraine: Following Russia’s invasion in 2022 and the continued conflict, the U.S. has extended TPS for eligible Ukrainian nationals until October 19, 2026. This extension allows individuals fleeing the war to remain in the U.S. while the conflict persists. 
  4. Venezuela: Due to the ongoing political and economic crises, TPS for Venezuelan nationals has been extended until October 2, 2026. The situation in Venezuela remains dire, with widespread insecurity and humanitarian needs. 

Individuals from Ukraine and Venezuela can continue to apply for initial TPS under the previous designations, if they qualify. Initial applicants and those who have previously re-registered who have a pending Form I-821 and Form I-765 under the prior designations do not need to file either application again.  If the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves an individual’s pending Form I-821, USCIS will grant TPS through the extended period listed above.    

If you are currently a TPS beneficiary under the El Salvador designation, and you have not yet re-registered for TPS under the most recent extension for that designation, you must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the current re-registration period to keep your TPS benefits. 

Please access the USCIS webpage on Temporary Protected Status to verify the appropriate process for either initial or re-registration of your TPS status.    

Eligibility for TPS 

To be eligible for Temporary Protected Status, individuals must meet certain criteria, including: 

  • Being a national of one of the designated TPS countries. 
  • Continuously residing in the U.S. since a specified date (for each extension, DHS will announce the required date). 
  • Continuous physical presence in the U.S. since a specified date.   
  • Not having been convicted of certain criminal offenses. 

Why is TPS Important? 

TPS provides critical protection for individuals who might otherwise face deportation to countries that are not safe due to war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. With TPS, eligible individuals can rebuild their lives in the U.S. while their home countries work toward recovery. The extension of TPS for these countries offers peace of mind and stability for hundreds of thousands of people, allowing them to continue working, supporting their families, and contributing to their communities. 

This action also reaffirms the U.S. government’s commitment to providing humanitarian relief to people in need and offering a lifeline to those whose home countries are experiencing unmanageable crises. 

If you would like to talk to an experienced immigration attorney regarding Temporary Protected Status, or any other immigration matter, please contact the team at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C.   

The material contained in this alert does not constitute direct legal advice and is for informational purposes only. An attorney-client relationship is not presumed or intended by receipt or review of this presentation. The information provided should never replace informed counsel when specific immigration-related guidance is needed.

© 2023 Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C. All rights reserved. Information may not be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without the express prior written permission of Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C.

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