TPS for the Nationals of Yemen
Yemen, which is experiencing widespread armed conflict, has been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has designated the country for TPS for 18 months. This designation will let the nationals of Yemen remain and work in the U.S. TPS extension is effective from September 3, 2015 through March 3, 2015.
Yemeni nationals approved for TPS will not be removed from the U.S. during the designated period. TPS also comes with work authorization. Those applying for TPS may receive Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). Nationals of Yemen can start applying for TPS now. The registration period began on September 3, 2015 and will end on March 1, 2016.
To apply for TPS, eligible Yemeni nationals must prove that they have been continuously residing in the U.S. since September 3, 2015. Applicants with criminal records are ineligible for TPS. So U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will require all the applicants to undergo background checks to make sure they are not criminals. Only those with clear records will be granted this temporary immigration status.
USCIS will waive TPS related fees for those who establish their inability to afford the fees. TPS applicants will need to file their applications with the required fee or a properly documented request for fee waiver.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) application
USCIS Immigration Relief Measures for People Affected by Typhoon Soudelor
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) was devastated by Typhoon Soudelor in August. Those affected by natural disasters may not be able to maintain their immigration status. Recognizing this, USCIS is granting certain immigration relief measures to its customers affected by this typhoon.
USCIS earlier adopted temporary immigration relief measures to assist affected individuals through September 2, 2015. Monitoring the situation in CNMI, USCIS has announced that it is extending the relief measures by an additional 60 days. This means, affected nationals will be eligible for relief measures till November 2, 2015.
Affected USCIS customers stranded in the U.S. can apply for a change or an extension of their non-immigrant status. Their requests will be considered even if they apply after the expiration of their authorized period of stay. USCIS will assist green card holders stranded abroad. Permanent residents struck in places that do not have USCIS offices and those who have lost their immigration papers can receive assistance from USCIS and U.S. Department of State (DOS). Affected USCIS customers who were earlier granted parole, can apply for an extension or re-parole.
USCIS is likely to reschedule interviews of those who prove that the typhoon prevented them from attending their interviews. Similarly, USCIS may not deny the applications of those who failed to respond to their Request for Evidence (RFE). This applies to RFEs issued with a deadline of August 2, 2015. Deadline to respond will now be extended to November 2, 2015.