DHS Secretary Mayorkas Designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.
Today, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, granted temporary protective status (TPS) to thousands of Ukrainians nationals living in the United States, saying the “full-scale Russian military invasion” has caused a “humanitarian crisis” that has made it unsafe for them to return.
The designation of TPS will allow Ukrainian nationals to stay in the United States for 18 months without fear of deportation, if they have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022. Anyone attempting to arrive or traveling to the United States after March 1, 2022, will not be eligible for TPS. TPS beneficiaries can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD) and may be granted travel authorization.
According to a DHS spokesperson, about 75,100 people are estimated to be eligible to file applications for TPS under the designation of Ukraine.
The DHS Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to the following temporary conditions in the country:
- Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
- An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic
- Other extraordinary and temporary conditions
