TPS Extended for Honduras and Nicaragua
Posted May 09, 2003

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for qualified Honduran and Nicaraguan nationals. The period of TPS was granted in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. The TPS is extended for 18 months, starting July 5, 2003 and ending January 5, 2005. There is a sixty-day re-registration period that began May 2, 2003. 
 
TPS is a temporary period of authorized stay in the U.S. during which the individual is eligible to obtain work authorization and cannot be "removed" (formerly deported) from the U.S. It does not lead to a permanent status. It is designed to help those who are from countries facing temporary turmoil, whether due to acts of nature, such as floods and hurricanes, or political upheaval. After the grant of TPS ends, such individuals are expected to return to their home countries, unless they have a separate legal basis for remaining in the U.S.
 
To avoid gaps in one's ability to work legally, the Employment Authorization Cards (EADs) have been granted an automatic extension until December 5, 2003. However, this extension is only for people who follow the required procedures for re-registration. The extension is expected to affect 85,000 Honduran nationals and 6,000 Nicaraguan nationals. TPS information and links to instructions regarding TPS issues are available on the BCIS WebSite. As of this writing, the information had not been updated to reflect the extension of the registration period. However, it is expected that the updated information should be available shortly.