Yemen is Now Designated for TPS

The Secretary of Homeland Security has announced his decision to designate Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. He has made this decision due to the ongoing conflict and resulting humanitarian emergency in Yemen that renders Yemen unable to safety handle the return of its nationals. Provided that they meet the eligibility requirements for TPS and apply within the current registration period for Yemen, nationals of Yemen and aliens without nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen may be eligible for TPS.

The TPS designation period for Yemen runs from September 3, 2015, to March 3, 2017. The current TPS registration period for Yemen runs from September 3, 2015, to March 1, 2016. Since the effective date of Yemen's TPS designation was September 3, 2015, you will have had to be “continuously physically present” and “continuously residing” in the United States since that date in order to be eligible during the registration period for Yemen. “Brief, casual, and innocent departures” may, depending on the circumstances, not render an applicant ineligible.

Aside from the specific dates for the TPS designation and registration period for Yemen, the process for applying for TPS and the eligibility requirements are the same for Yemen as for other countries designated for TPS. In order to learn more about applying for TPS [see section] and the benefits of TPS [see section], please see our full article on Temporary Protected Status [see article].

The Secretary of Homeland Security's decision to designate Yemen for TPS is very welcome for aliens in the United States who would otherwise be at risk of being returned to a devastated country in the midst of a war. If you are a national of Yemen or an alien who last habitually resided in Yemen and you believe that you may be eligible for TPS, you should consult with an immigration attorney immediately for an assessment of your eligibility and, if eligible, for assistance in properly completing all of the application requirements and for applying for employment authorization. Furthermore, if you are granted TPS under the TPS program for Yemen, you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney to learn if you may be eligible to change or adjust from TPS to a permanent immigration status.

See the announcement at http://www.uscis.gov/news/dhs-announces-temporary-protected-status-designation-yemen [link]