By Lihua Tan

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new 18-month Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti. Haitian nationals, and stateless individuals who most recently lived in Haiti, that reside in the United States as of May 21, 2021 can file for TPS if they meet other eligibility requirements.

Haitians must already reside in the US since before May 21, 2021 to qualify for TPS. Anyone arriving after that date could still be repatriated. Other TPS eligibility requirements include filing on time, continuous presence in the US starting May 21, 2021, lack of certain criminal convictions, and more.

TPS provides temporary relief from deportation, eligibility for an employment authorization document (EAD), and travel authorization to individuals from countries that are facing temporary instability or dangerous conditions. DHS designated Haiti for TPS due to the country’s security concerns, social unrest, human rights violations, poverty, and resource scarcity exacerbated by COVID-19.

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