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OBTAINING TPS FOR YOUR HAITIAN CLIENTS. What is TPS? . In response to the destruction caused by the earthquake in Haiti last week, Temporary Protected Status, or TPS is available to eligible Haitian nationals.
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What is TPS? • In response to the destruction caused by the earthquake in Haiti last week, Temporary Protected Status, or TPS is available to eligible Haitian nationals. • TPS will allow eligible Haitian nationals in the United States to continue living and working in the US for the next 18 months, with the possibility of renewal.
Basic Requirements • Eligible Haitians must have been physically present inside the US prior to 01/12/2010. • Must file for TPS during the open registration or re-registration period. The initial registration period is open for the next 180 days. • Has not been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors in the United States; • Is not a persecutor, or otherwise subject to one of the bars to asylum; • Not subject to one of the criminal or security related grounds of inadmissibility for which a waiver is not available.
Required Forms • Must submit both forms via mail (no electronic filing permitted!) • Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status; • Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Document (EAD). • BOTH forms must be completed and filed for ALL applicants – including children.
Filing Fees • Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status: • Normal Filing fee is $50.00. • OR Submit a Fee Waiver Request. • Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Document (EAD): • Filing fee is $340.00 if over age 14 and under age 65. • Filing fee is automatically waived if under age 14 or over age 65. • OR Submit a Fee Waiver Request. • Biometrics (Fingerprinting): • Filing fee is $80.00 if over age 14, or Fee Waiver.
Required Documents • Evidence of Haitian Nationality such as a current OR expired Haitian passport OR Haitian Birth Certificate OR other evidence proving Haitian nationality; • Two U.S. Passport Style Photos; • Evidence of physical presence INSIDE the US on or before 01/12/2010 such as an I-94 card, visa, electricity bill, etc.
Filing Instructions • Mail Form I-821 (TPS) Form I-765 (EAD) and Required Documents TOGETHER to: • If the client lives in Florida: • USCIS, PO BOX 4464, Chicago, IL, 60680. • OR if mailing via FedEx to USCIS, Attn: Haitian TPS, 131 South Dearborn, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-5520 • For Haitians residing in NY forms are filed with Texas Service Center. For Haitians residing in all other states, the forms must be filed in Arizona.
Let’s Get to Work! • DHS estimates there are 100,000-200,000 TPS eligible Haitians living inside the United States. • It is possible that TPS could be extended after the initial 18 months. But to be eligible, one must apply NOW. • The current deadline is 180 days from today.