Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provides work authorization and protection from deportation for citizens of certain countries for humanitarian reasons. The current U.S. administration has ended some TPS programs and is considering ending others soon. The Atlanta immigration attorneys at Antonini & Cohen have five tips to always follow if you have TPS.
Check the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) website frequently for updates.You can view the TPS information in English and Spanish. Unfortunately, there are many scams related to TPS. In fact, here’s a list of common TPS scams. Information about TPS is usually listed on the USCIS website first. Always be sure you are on the real website – not an imposter website.
Sign up for email updates about TPS from the USCIS.Sign up today for email updates about TPS or other immigration topics.
Find out now from a reputable immigration attorney if you have a backup option. Some TPS beneficiaries may have other family, employment, or humanitarian immigration options. They may even be able to ask for immigration benefits from an immigration judge if they’re placed in deportation proceedings. The best way to find out what options you may have is to meet with a reputable immigration attorney. Be sure to bring copies of all your immigration documents. Don’t wait until the last minute, as some options take a long time to process.
Collect information and documents.You should share information and documentation with your immigration lawyer if you or your family have:
been arrested
had deportation hearings or orders
been the victim of a crime
ever filed with the U.S. Immigration or Department of Labor
Immigration law is complicated, and small details can change what can or cannot be done. One of these details is collecting documents that might support your immigration case. Examples of documents to collect are:
tax returns
bills
leases
school records
medical records
children’s birth certificates
marriage certificates
divorce decrees
passports
warrant/arrest records
court documents from criminal cases
protective orders
police orders where you/family were crime victims
evidence of psychological counseling
Advocate for change. Ask your friends, family, and employers who are U.S. citizens to contact their Senators and Representatives to explain that the immigration laws need to be updated. They can explain that the current law does not have a legal way for many people with TPS to apply for immigration status (even when they need to be in the United States for humanitarian reasons, family unity, or because their employers depend on them for jobs that are hard or impossible to fill).
Call Antonini & Cohen for Help
If you live in the United States and have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), contact the Atlanta immigration attorneys at Antonini & Cohen at (404) 850-9394. We have many years of experience helping our clients find out what options they have. We look forward to speaking with you soon and answering your questions about TPS and other immigration topics.