Let's talk about TPS, Temporary Protected Status. In the past few weeks, two countries
were added to the TPS list of protected status. This means individuals from those countries
who are not able to go back home because of the kind of conditions
are able to get special status for 18 months, allowing them to live and work in the United
States until further notice. The two countries that are added currently are Burma and Venezuela.
And based on what we know, more countries could be added to the TPS program. So, I thought,
why not make a video explaining what the TPS program is. How can somebody qualify
now? What do you need to know about the future designation of more countries that could be added
to this list? So, make sure you stick to the end as I break down to you all the elements of TPS,
who qualifies, and who might qualify in the near future. So, let's jump right in.
Hello, everybody. And welcome back to our Immigration channel. This is the place where
you get the most up-to-date immigration news, immigration information, and everything else
that you need to make your immigration journey less stressful. My name is Jacob Sapochnik,
and I'm an immigration attorney located in San Diego, California, and I help clients in
all 50 states. If you’re here for the first time, make sure to subscribe to our channel,
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a big like so YouTube will be able to share this video with more people just like you. So,
let's talk about Temporary Protected Status, TPS. In the past two weeks, we have Venezuela
that was added to the list of Temporary Protected Status countries. And most recently,
we have Burma that was added as of March 12, to the list of Temporary Protected Status countries.
But what does this mean? What does TPS mean? And who qualifies as Secretary of Homeland Security
may temporarily designate a country for TPS status due to the current kind of conditions that will
prevent its nationals from going back home? It could be because of war, because of a coup and
uprising, or a national disaster, whatever it is determined that they're not able to go back home,
they're currently residing in the United States. Those countries could be designated for TPS
protection. For example, the most recent one was Burma because of the unstable country conditions.
Typically, the government is looking for some sort of armed conflict, an environmental disaster
like an earthquake, or some sort of a tsunami, or other extraordinary temporary conditions.
What happens to people that can get TPS? Typically, they're protected from deportation
or removal. They can get a work authorization typically up to 18 months, and in some cases,
they can also get Travel Authorization in case they need to depart the United States.
It is really important to understand that the TPS status does not lead you directly to a green card.
You can change status to a different visa from it. You can apply for Adjustment of Status based on
another opportunity like marriage or sponsorship, but it doesn't lead specifically to a green card.
Of course, currently, there is a bill pending from the government that talks about giving TPS
holders a specific path for green cards, but at the moment, that is not an option. So, what
are the countries that are currently designated for TPS? We've got El Salvador, we've got Haiti,
we’ve got Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria, Recently,
Venezuela, Yemen, and Burma, what are some of the eligibility requirements? First of all, you got to
be the national of one of the TPS designated countries, then you have to register for TPS
during the open registration period. For that designation, you have to be continuously present
in the United States during and since the initial registration period open for your country. Some
people may not qualify for TPS. If you've been convicted of certain crimes, if you have certain
immigration bars pending against you, if you fail to meet the initial registration period for your
TPS, you are too late. Some of these people will not qualify for TPS, it is really important that
once you get TPS, you have to re-register every time that the registration period is over. So,
for example, right now, it's designated for 18 months for Venezuela, and for Burma. At the end
of the period, they're probably going to extend it and you have to re-register again. Make sure
you don't miss that because you're going to lose your TPS status. Remember that TPS holders are
eligible for work authorization, which would allow them to stay here and work while the TPS
status is pending. If you remember, on the Trump administration, TPS, the TPS program was under
attack. And it was very difficult for people who had to be established, to continue to extend it,
and the future of the program was definitely in jeopardy. We welcome President Biden's interests
to expand the TPS program to more countries that are being affected by horrible conditions,
like wars, coups, and national disasters. And we think that more countries are going to be added
to the TPS program in the next year or so. Which countries are those? That will remain to be seen.
But we know that President Biden is actively evaluating country conditions in quite a few
nations to determine what other countries could be added to the TPS program. If you are from Burma
and Venezuala and you're watching this video, or you know somebody who is watching this video,
make sure that you take advantage of this program and apply for your TPS status
right now. If you have questions about TPS and other related subjects, make sure that you post
in the comments below. I look forward to engaging with you there. If you're here for the first time,
don't forget to click the notification bell and subscribe to our channel. And also give us a big
like so YouTube will be able to share this video with more people just like you. And also, if you
know somebody that is interested in this topic, take the video and share it with them because I
will appreciate that very much. Once again, thanks for watching. If you do want a consultation with
me one on one, text me at 619-483-4549. Thank you for watching and I will see you in our next video.