The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday that it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras. The termination date will be extended 18 months to allow for an orderly transition.

Key points:

  • Temporary Protected Status for Honduran nationals will end Jan. 5, 2020.
  • Honduran nationals who currently hold TPS will be required to reapply for employment authorization documents in order to legally work in the United States until the termination date.
  • DHS has not yet said when the re-registration period will open and close. This information is expected to be published soon in the Federal Register.

Background: Temporary Protected Status allows certain foreign nationals to legally remain in the U.S. and apply for an employment authorization document following a designation by DHS that conditions resulting from natural disasters, unrest or other extraordinary and temporary circumstances prevent them from returning home. The original designation for Honduras was issued in 1999 after the country was struck by Hurricane Mitch. The end of TPS for Honduras will affect tens of thousands of Honduran nationals in the U.S.

In recent months, the Trump administration has extended TPS for South Sudan and Syria, but has terminated the designation for El Salvador, Haiti, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan. The administration also announced that it would end Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberian nationals.

BAL Analysis: DHS is advising Honduran nationals to prepare for and arrange their departure from the U.S. or apply for other types of visas during the 18-month transition period. Honduran nationals who wish to remain in the U.S. during the transition period will be required to re-register for TPS and apply for employment authorization documents. BAL will continue to monitor the Federal Register for information about when the re-registration period to extend TPS benefits will open.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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