On June 13, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded the Trump Administration’s termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, and extended TPS for these countries for 18 months.
Federal Register notices will shortly be published, and will explain the eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register for TPS and renew their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Once the notices are published, existing TPS beneficiaries under the four designated countries will be able to re-register to continue their TPS throughout the 18-month extension. The notices will provide details about each country’s extension and the re-registration periods.
Individuals who arrived in the United States after the continuous residence dates for these designations are not eligible for TPS and, if they enter without legal authorization and do not have a lawful basis to remain in the United States, will be subject to removal. The respective continuous residence dates are Feb. 13, 2001, for El Salvador; Dec. 30, 1998, for Honduras and Nicaragua; and June 24, 2015, for Nepal.
DHS’ announcement provided the following dates and deadlines for each TPS-designated country.
El Salvador: DHS is extending the designation of El Salvador for TPS for 18 months, from Sept. 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through March 9, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from July 12, 2023, through Sept. 10, 2023.
Honduras: DHS is extending the designation of Honduras for TPS for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through July 5, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024.
Nepal: DHS is extending the designation of Nepal for TPS for 18 months, from Dec. 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through June 24, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from Oct. 24, 2023, through Dec. 23, 2023.
Nicaragua: DHS is extending the designation of Nicaragua for TPS for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through July 5, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024.
DHS had previously extended the validity of TPS-related documentation for current beneficiaries who are nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua through June 30, 2024, in order to ensure compliance with court orders in the litigation challenging the now-rescinded decision to terminate TPS for these countries. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas cited the continuing impact of environmental disasters and the need for humanitarian relief as the reasoning behind the recent decision.
If you are a citizen or habitual resident of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua and believe you may be eligible to re-register for TPS, please contact Stephen Antwine, Esq. at Green & Spiegel for assistance at santwine@gands-us.com or (215) 395-8959
