Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an important form of humanitarian relief for people from certain designated countries that have experienced armed conflict, natural disaster, or others conditions that prevent nationals from returning safely. Currently, there are approximately 400,000 people from 12 countries with TPS status, which provides the right to live and work lawfully in the United States but no permanent status. 

ILRC develops TPS resources and materials to keep legal advocates and community members updated about TPS designations and application processes as well opportunities for TPS recipients to pursue more permanent forms of status. This area of immigration law changes frequently, so please visit this page for regular updates as well as the USCIS TPS page: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status.

What's Happening with TPS?

The latest updates on TPS. 
Learn More

¿QUÉ ESTÁ PASANDO CON EL TPS?

Las últimas novedades sobre el TPS.
MÁS INFORMACIÓN

Latest Resources

FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Advance Parole Travel and Considerations - What You Must Know Now
Publication Date
09/09/2026
In this community explainer, we will discuss the effects of this decision, how it impacts advance parole travel and applications for adjustment of status, and what applicants must consider moving forward.
Practice Advisory
Resources

Best Practices for Advising Noncitizens Who Want to Leave the United States
Publication Date
04/28/2026
In the current landscape of increased immigration enforcement, many noncitizens are considering the option of leaving the United States in order to return to their home country or to seek opportunities in a different country. In the current landscape of increased immigration enforcement, many noncitizens are considering the option of leaving the United States in order to return to their home country or to seek opportunities in a different country. This practice advisory provides guidance to immigration attorneys and advocates who are asked to provide such advice and walks through common issues for the client to consider before deciding to leave the United States. It also includes a checklist of helpful questions and information to review with the client before they depart.
Practice Advisory
Resources

Civil Penalties and Fines - Part I: How to Appeal a Civil Penalty
Publication Date
03/17/2026
This practice advisory is Part I of a two-part advisory on civil fines and civil penalties instituted by DHS against noncitizens. Part I discusses the procedures for instituting a fine and recommendations for contesting and appealing a civil fine instituted by DHS. Part II will discuss statutory and Constitutional arguments and defenses against the issuance of fines.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

The New Registration Requirement: Frequently Asked Questions

Publication Date
04/11/2025
The Trump administration’s Registration requirement for most undocumented immigrants is another hateful tactic in its campaign to cause panic and fear throughout the country. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been clear that the central purpose of Registration is to gather information about all noncitizens and use this information to locate, apprehend and remove them as quickly as possible. The new registration requirement took effect April 11, 2025.
Public Comments / Sign-on Letters
Resources

ILRC Comment on Temporary Final Rule Automatically Extending Employment Authorization Documents
Publication Date
07/24/2024
On June 6, 2024, the ILRC submitted a comment in support of DHS’s temporary final rule (TFR) providing automatic extensions of employment authorization documents. The TFR specifically requested comment on whether the measure should be permanent and how long permanent automatic extensions should be. The ILRC wrote in support of a long and permanent auto-extension policy to ensure that applicants are not harmed by administrative delays that lead to lapses in document validity.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Important Reminder for TPS Recipients from Certain Countries
Publication Date
05/15/2024
This Community Alert is a reminder for recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan that re-registration deadlines are coming soon. Review to learn about the deadlines for each country.
Practice Advisory
Resources

Alert: Deferred Enforced Departure Announced for Palestinians
Publication Date
02/21/2024
On February 14, 2024, President Biden announced an 18-month Program of deferred enforced departure (DED) for Palestinians in the United States. This alert describes the content of the executive order. Eligible persons may apply for employment and travel authorization under the program when a notice is published in the Federal Register.
Practice Advisory
Resources

"Particularly Serious Crime" Bars to Asylum and Withholding

Publication Date
12/12/2023
This advisory analyzes and explains the particularly serious crime bar to asylum and withholding of removal. It describes the factors to consider in determining whether a crime is a "particularly serious crime" and how to challenge a particularly serious crime determination.
View All

A Guide for Immigration Advocates

Asylum
Citizenship and Naturalization
Crimes
Family-Based
Removal Defense
Temporary Protected Status
U Visa/T Visa/VAWA

A Guide for Immigration Advocates is a practical and essential tool for beginning immigration attorneys, immigration law firms employing paralegals, DOJ accredited representatives, and nonprofit community-based organizations. The Guide is unique...

Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status: Practice and Strategies guides advocates through practical and technical considerations when assisting individuals applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This accessible guide provides a clear introduction to TPS...

Overview of TPS

Temporary Protected Status

This free webinar is sponsored by members of Ready to Stay, a collaborative that includes ILRC and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) among other members. It is co-sponsored by CLINIC.

Obstacles to TPS Eligibility

Temporary Protected Status

While new countries have been designated for TPS, not all nationals are able to qualify even if they have been in the United States for the requisite period. This webinar will explore the different barriers to TPS eligibility, including the...

FOIA

Asylum
Citizenship and Naturalization
Crimes
DACA
Detention
Enforcement
Family-Based
Immigrant Youth
Post-Conviction Relief
Public Charge
Removal Defense
Temporary Protected Status
U Visa/T Visa/VAWA

Level: IntermediateThis webinar will discuss FOIA requests in immigration cases and provide tips for filing FOIA requests with DHS, including USCIS, OBIM, ICE and CBP. Researching clients’ case histories may become particularly important if any of...

An Overview of Initial Registration for TPS

Asylum
Removal Defense
Temporary Protected Status
This practice advisory outlines the requirements and process of enrolling in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the first time.  It provides an overview of the basic requirements for TPS and identifies red flag issues that require careful analysis. It provides guidance on the TPS application process, including preparing a waiver of inadmissibility. It also offers practical guidance about when to file in immigration court and when an eligible individual may qualify for late initial registration.
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