Skip to content

CONGRESSMAN SERRANO, SENATOR SCHUMER WELCOME EXTENSION OF TPS REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR INDIVIDUALS FROM EBOLA-AFFECTED NATIONS

Rep. Serrano, Sen. Schumer Advocated for this Extension in a Letter sent to the Secretary of Homeland Jeh Johnson

Congressman José E. Serrano applauded today the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s decision to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) registration deadline for eligible individuals from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone – the three ebola-affected nations. 

In a letter sent in May this year, Congressman Serrano and Senator Schumer, along with 9 other Members of the New York delegation, urged Secretary Jeh Johnson to extend the May 20, 2015 deadline to ensure everyone eligible was able to apply and take advantage of the policy. Members of the community had expressed concerns over the DHS’s lack of outreach to let people know about their eligibility and the still fragile situation in the region. With this announcement, the deadline has been extended from May 20, 2015, to Aug. 18, 2015.

“This is great news for the people from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone currently living in New York City and the rest of the United States who were not able to learn about and submit their applications for Temporary Protected Status previously. TPS is an important humanitarian tool, and this announcement will help provide relief for many individuals from ebola-affected nations who won’t be forced to return to a still fragile region. I am glad Secretary Johnson has heeded our call and extended the deadline, so that more people can take advantage of it. For those who qualify, make sure to submit your application byAugust 18,” said Congressman Serrano.

“It’s good news that the TPS registration period was extended for ebola-wracked countries like Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. This critical extension will ensure that no one falls through the cracks while these countries are getting back on their feet following the ebola outbreak,” said Senator Schumer.

More information on eligibility, how to register and costs of applying for the program from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announcement:

Eligibility

To be eligible for TPS, you must demonstrate that you meet all eligibility criteria, including that you have been “continuously residing” in the United States since Nov. 20, 2014, and “continuously physically present” in the United States since Nov. 21, 2014. You must also undergo thorough security checks. Individuals with certain criminal records or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS.

Additionally, you may apply for TPS even if you are a Liberian national currently covered under the two-year extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) based on President Obama’s Sept. 26, 2014 memorandum. If you are a DED-covered Liberian national and you have an EAD or have applied for an EAD, you do not need to apply for another EAD related to this TPS designation. However, if you are granted TPS, you may request a TPS-related EAD at a later date as long as the TPS designation for Liberia remains in effect.

Registering

To register, you must submit:

  • Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status.
  • The Form I-821 application fee (or a fee-waiver request).
  • The biometrics services fee (or a fee-waiver request) if you are 14 years old or older.
  • Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether you want an EAD.
  • The Form I-765 application fee (or a fee-waiver request), but only if you want an EAD. If you do not want an EAD, no application fee is required. There is no Form I-765 fee for initial applicants under the age of 14, or 66 and over; these applicants may receive their initial EAD cards for free.

Fees and Fee Waivers

If you cannot pay the fee, you may request that we waive the Form I-821 application fee, Form I-765 application fee and biometrics services fee. However, you must file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or submit a written request. You must also send in supporting documentation with your fee-waiver request. We will reject your TPS application if you do not submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee-waiver request.

Additional information about TPS for Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone – including guidance on eligibility, the application process and where to file – is available at uscis.gov/tps.

###

Previous
Next