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Haitian Temporary Protected Status
Generally
The Department of Homeland Security has
determined that an 18 month designation of Temporary Protected
Status (TPS) for Haiti is warranted, in light of the devastating
earthquake and aftershocks that occurred in Haiti on January 12,
2010.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is
granted to eligible nationals of countries, or persons without a
nationality who last habitually lived in that country. The
Department of Homeland Security determines TPS countries based on
whether the country has recently experienced a temporary negative
condition - such as armed conflict or an environmental disaster -
that prevents nationals of the country from returning safely.
TPS beneficiaries may remain in the US
and legally work for a set time period. TPS does not lead to
permanent resident status by itself or confer any other immigration
status. However, registration for TPS does not prevent applicants
from applying for nonimmigrant status, filing for adjustment of
status based on immigrant petition, or applying for any other
immigration benefit or protection for which the applicant is
eligible.
Eligibility
To qualify for Haitian TPS, an applicant
must:
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Be a national of Haiti, or a person
without nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti
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Have continuously resided in the US
since January 12, 2010.
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Have been continuously physically
present in the US since January 21, 2010, and
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Meet certain immigrant admissibility
requirements, and other TPS eligibility requirements
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Satisfactorily complete all TPS
application procedures
Applicants must submit their Application
for Temporary Protected Status and Application for Employment
Authorization, along with the appropriate fees and documents.
Applicants should be aware that factors,
such as a criminal history or other security-related bars, can make
an applicant ineligible for TPS.
The registration period for Haitian TPS
starts on January 21, 2010, and will continue for 180 days from that
date. Applicants must file for TPS within the registration
period.
Filing Fees
The fee for the Application for
Temporary Protected Status is $50. A separate $80 biometric fee is
required for applicants who are age 14 or older.
A $340 fee must be submitted with the
Application for Employment Authorization if the applicant is between
the ages 14 to 65. If the applicant does not require employment
authorization, the Application is still required but no fee is
necessary.
Applicants may request a waiver of TPS-related
application fees by submitting a fee waiver request with proper
documentation of inability to pay. Fee waivers may also be given for
humanitarian reasons such as disability, homelessness, or age.
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