What is it?
In addition to the usual immigration and visa options, U.S. immigration law provides for a special set of benefits called "Temporary Protected Status." TPS is, as the name implies, a temporary form of relief and usually lasts for a period of 6 to 18 months.. The status is granted to specific countries that have suffered some great harm (a massive volcanic eruption, hurricane, earthquake, etc.) in order to assist citizens of the affected country who happen to be in the United States.
The primary benefit offered under TPS is relief from deportation, coupled with work authorization. This means that citizens of qualifying countries who are in the U.S. can be allowed to stay and work, regardless of how they got to the U.S. in the first place.
How do I qualify?
In order to qualify for benefits under TPS, an immigrant must meet certain qualifications, which vary somewhat from situation to situation but can be roughly described as:
- The immigrant must be a citizen of the affected country (persons who are stateless can sometimes qualify, but this is a much more complicated inquiry).
- The immigrant must have been present in the U.S. at a time determined by the Department of Homeland Security in its TPS announcement. This time is usually the date that the disaster occurred, but can vary.
- The immigrant must be "otherwise admissible," meaning that they would not be denied admission to the U.S. on criminal, national security, or other grounds.
TPS benefits are not automatically granted - if you believe you are eligible for TPS benefits you must complete an application and be approved. Once approved, you may be eligible for an "adjustment of status" to a more permanent immigration status, but this kind of adjustment is also not automatic and depends heavily on the facts of your situation.
How can we help?
We assist immigrants with the TPS application and can guide you through the whole TPS process, including any possible adjustments of status. We will happily meet with you, either in person or by phone, and discuss the options available to you, answer your questions, and make sure that your TPS application is properly submitted.
A special note on the Guatemalan TPS request
This spring, Guatemala suffered a pair of serious natural disasters. The Pacaya volcanic eruption was followed by Tropical Storm Agatha, resulting in considerable loss of life, property, and the destruction of a great deal of Guatemalan infrastructure. Following this pair of disasters, the Guatemalan government requested TPS status for its citizens.
Our blog (located at blog.kolasinski-law.com) is one of the most active and up-to-date sources available for information about this TPS request, something we are quite proud of. We strive to find the latest bits of news, whether from the media (both in English and Spanish) or through personal connections here and abroad. We encourage everyone interested in the Guatemalan TPS application to visit our blog and participate in our comments section. We have also established a special email address specifically for questions relating to immigration for Guatemalan citizens, which you can access at Guatemala@Kolasinski-Law.com.
Main Office: (209) 408-0104
East Bay: (925) 290-7104
Español: (209) 542-4529
Fax: (209) 408-0149
Toll Free: (877) 573-0018
Email: Contact@Kolasinski-Law.com
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Addresses
Main Office (Modesto):
1100 14th Street, Suite E (Second Floor)
Modesto, CA
95353
East Bay (San Ramon):
2010 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 100
San Ramon, CA
94583
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