USCIS Extends TPS for Honduras, Nicaragua
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that the designations of Honduras and Nicaragua for temporary protected status (TPS) have been extended for 18 months, from January 6, 2015, through July 5, 2016.
For those who have already been granted TPS under the Honduras or Nicaragua designations, the 60-day re-registration period ends on December 15, 2014. USCIS will issue new employment authorization documents (EADs) with a July 5, 2016, expiration date to eligible Honduras and Nicaragua TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension. Given the time frames involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, USCIS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on January 5, 2015. Accordingly, USCIS is automatically extending the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Honduras and Nicaragua for six months, through July 5, 2015. The Federal Register notices explain how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended and their impact on the employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) and E-Verify processes.
USCIS also set forth procedures necessary for nationals of Honduras or Nicaragua (or those having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras or Nicaragua) to re-register for TPS and to apply for renewal of their EADs with USCIS. Re-registration is limited to persons who have previously registered for TPS under the designation of Honduras or Nicaragua and whose applications have been granted. Certain nationals of Honduras and Nicaragua (or those having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras or Nicaragua) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions, if they meet: (1) at least one of the late initial filing criteria; and (2) all TPS eligibility criteria, including continuous residence in the United States since December 30, 1998, and continuous physical presence in the United States since January 5, 1999.
See also:
- The Honduras notice is available at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/10/16/2014-24559/extension-of-the-designation-of-honduras-for-temporary-protected-status.
- The Nicaragua notice is available at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/10/16/2014-24560/extension-of-the-designation-of-nicaragua-for-temporary-protected-status
