DHS Secretary Announces New 18-month TPS Designation for Haiti

After many months of uncertainty and four separate lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate the previous designation of Haitian TPS, we are very happy to share that DHS Secretary Mayorkas has announced a new 18-month designation of TPS for individuals from Haiti.  

This designation will allow Haitian nationals who are currently residing in the U.S. as of May 21, 2021, to file initial applications for TPS as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. We are still awaiting the publication of the Federal Register notice which will contain the duration dates, eligibility requirements, and application instructions. 

With respect to the previous designation of Haitian TPS, court injunctions and other court rulings have allowed it to remain in effect, however, we are still awaiting the outcome of those lawsuits. Existing TPS beneficiaries retain their TPS and employment authorization through October 4, 2021. DHS will continue to extend the benefits and documents as required to comply with court orders. These beneficiaries may also apply for the new designation of Haitian TPS so as to benefit from the new 18-month designation. 

For more information, please see the USCIS webpage dedicated to Haitian TPS: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-haiti. If you have additional questions about applying for TPS, please contact Iandoli, Desai, and Cronin P.C.  (info@iandoli.com) to schedule a consultation.