Overview of TPS Extension
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended TPS status designation for eligible citizens of Nicaragua and stateless persons who last habitually resided in that country.
U.S. immigration law allows the designation of a country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) if armed conflict poses a serious threat to the personal safety of its citizens upon return. The U.S. may designate a country for TPS if a natural disaster prevents it from handling the return of its citizens. Attorney General finds extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent the safe return of its citizens.
Benefits and Requirements
The current extension is for an additional 18 month effective July 6, 2016 through January 5, 2018. Current TPS Nicaragua beneficiaries must renew and extend their TPS status by re-registering during the 60-day re-registration period. This period began on May 16th and will end on July 15, 2016. Applicants must file the re-registration application with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Applicants must also apply for a new employment authorization document (EAD) along with their TPS re-registration application.
Upon approval, TPS beneficiaries from Nicaragua will receive a new TPS expiration date of January 5th, 2018. They will also receive an approved employment authorization document. The current employment authorization document for Nicaragua TPS beneficiaries have an expiration date of July 5th 2016. USCIS automatically extends this for six months until January 5, 2017. This extension allows applicants to receive their new EAD with the expiration date of January 5, 2018.
Applications not properly filed will be rejected by USCIS.
For more information on eligibility for the re-registration for TPS and EAD, please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-nicaragua
