Throughout March and April, DHS has designated and re-designated Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Cameroon for the Temporary Protected Status program.
DHS Designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, will be eligible for TPS.
The designation is based on ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent the country’s nationals from returning in safety, including armed conflict as the Taliban seeks to impose control in all areas of the country, attacks against civilians by Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), a collapsing public sector, a worsening economic crisis, drought, food and water insecurity, lack of access to healthcare, and internal displacement.
TPS will apply only to those individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, and meet all other requirements, including undergoing security and background checks. Afghan nationals who arrived as part of the Operation Allies Welcome evacuation effort and were paroled into the United States may also be eligible for TPS. Those who attempt to travel to the United States after March 15, 2022, will not be eligible for TPS.
The 18-month designation of TPS for Afghanistan will go into effect on the publication date of the forthcoming Federal Register notice. The Federal Register notice will provide instructions for applying for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document.