The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security announced that it will open registration for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti on Tuesday, Aug. 3, and extend the designation for 18 months until Feb 3, 2023. The agency posted a pre-publication notice of the designation and registration instructions. An official version will be published in the Federal Register Aug. 3.

Read the full article here.

IMPACT – LOW

What is the change? Effective immediately, Haitian nationals traveling to Argentina will be required to obtain a tourist visa at an Argentinian consulate before travel, according to a Ministry of Interior resolution issued today.

What does the change mean? Haitian nationals will no longer be eligible for visas on arrival.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Tourist visas.
  • Who is affected: Haitian nationals traveling to Argentina.
  • Impact on processing times: Travelers should plan at least several days in advance to allow time to obtain a visa.
  • Business impact: There is little business impact, as business travelers were already required to obtain a business visa before travel.

BAL Analysis: Haitian nationals traveling to Argentina should factor in the additional time required to obtain a tourist visa. Business travelers are reminded that they are still required to apply for a business visa before travel.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Argentina. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Department of Homeland Security extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Haiti for an additional six months this week, but also hinted that the designation could be discontinued upon the next review.

Key dates and deadlines:

  • TPS for eligible Haitian nationals (and non-nationals who have habitually resided in Haiti) has been extended for an additional six months through Jan. 22, 2018.
  • The 60-day reregistration period for current Haitian TPS holders to extend their status runs from May 24 through July 24. Individuals who reregister within this period will have their employment authorization documents automatically extended until Jan. 18, 2018.
  • In its announcement, DHS said that during the six-month extension, Haitian nationals should prepare to return to Haiti in the event that TPS is not extended again. DHS will review Haiti’s TPS designation at least 60 days before Jan. 22, 2018 and decide to extend, redesignate or terminate the status.

Background: Haiti was designated for temporary protected status Jan. 21, 2010 following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Upon review, the secretary of Homeland Security determined that the country has made progress but still suffers the aftereffects of the earthquake as well as damage from Hurricane Matthew in October.

Details on reregistration for current Haiti TPS holders may be found at the USCIS website or in the Federal Register notice.

In the notice, the agency said that “during this six-month extension, beneficiaries are encouraged to prepare for their return to Haiti in the event Haiti’s designation is not extended again, including requesting updated travel documents from the Government of Haiti.”

BAL Analysis: Employers should be aware of the extension of employment authorization for eligible TPS holders. Individuals intending to extend their TPS status should do so as soon as possible to avoid lapses in their status and employment authorization.

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

Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.