TPS re-registration period set for Haiti

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Thursday that Haitian nationals who want to maintain their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through the effective termination date of July 22, 2019, must re-register before March 19, 2018.

Key points:

• The Trump administration decided in November to end TPS for Haiti, but will permit Haitians with TPS status to remain in the country until July 22, 2019.
• Haitian nationals who want to extend their TPS status until July 22, 2019 must both re-register for TPS using Form I-821 and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) using Form I-765 within the 60-day period between now and March 19, 2018.
• Given the short processing time frames and the fact that many Haitian nationals with TPS have EADs that will expire Jan. 22, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security will automatically extend the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Haiti for 180 days through July 21, 2018.
• New EADs with a July 22, 2019, expiration date will only be issued to eligible Haitian TPS beneficiaries who complete the re-registration process before March 19, 2018.

BAL Analysis: Haitian nationals who wish to extend their TPS must re-register before March 19, 2018. TPS for Haitians is due to expire July 22, 2019, and the DHS has advised Haitians with TPS to either prepare for their departure from the U.S. or to apply for other types of visas between now and that time.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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