WHAT IS TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS)?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals of specific countries experiencing situations, such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions, that make deportation or forced return to that country unsafe. TPS provides a work permit and stay of deportation to foreign nationals from those countries who are in the United States at the time the US government makes that designation.
On April 15, 2022 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated TPS for Cameroon, meaning that Cameroonians who were in the US on or before April 14, 2022 may be eligible for TPS. The TPS designation for Cameroon will last for 18 months. At least 60 days before the expiration of TPS, DHS must decide whether to extend or terminate a designation based on the ongoing conditions in Cameroon. Decisions to begin, extend, or terminate a TPS designation must be published in the Federal Register.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TPS?
In order to qualify for TPS an individual must:
Individuals do not automatically receive TPS. Eligible individuals must register during a specific registration period and pay significant fees. An individual’s immigration status at the time of application for TPS has no effect on that individual’s eligibility.
- Be a national of Cameroon
- Be continuously physically present in the US since the effective date of the designation, on or before June 7, 2022.
- Have continuously resided in the US since April 14, 2022.
- Not be barred for certain criminal or national security reasons (for example, individuals who have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors)
However, otherwise eligible individuals are not eligible if they:
- Have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States;
- Are found inadmissible under applicable grounds in INA section 212(a), including non-waivable criminal and security-related grounds;
- Are subject to any of the mandatory bars to asylum. These include, but are not limited to, participating in the persecution of another individual or engaging in or inciting terrorist activity; or
- Fail to meet the continuous physical presence and continuous residence in the United States requirements.
What Are The Benefits Of TPS?
- TPS holders are protection from deportation;
- TPS holders gain employment authorization and can work legally in the U.S.; and
- TPS holders may travel out of the U.S. with permission (please note if you are also applying for asylum you must consult with you before leaving the U.S. as travel may disqualify an individual from receiving asylum status)
How Do Eligible Individuals Apply For TPS?
However, otherwise eligible individuals are not eligible if they:
- To register for TPS based on the designation of Cameroon, you must submit an Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) and pay the filing fee (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912)).
- All applicants must submit a Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status as a new applicant by selecting “1.a This is my initial (first time) application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). I do not currently have TPS,” along with the required $50 fee for Form I-821 or request for fee waiver.
- There is a $50 fee for Form I-821, or applicants can apply for a fee waiver.
- Applicants age 14 and over must also submit a biometrics service fee, which is $85. Individuals unable to pay the biometrics fee may submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912).
- More information on fee waivers can be found here: uscis.gov/i-912.
- If you receive a denial of your fee waiver request and are unable to refile by the registration deadline, you may still refile your Form I-821 with the biometrics fee. USCIS will review this situation to determine whether you established good cause for late TPS registration. However, you are urged to refile within 45 days of the date on any USCIS fee waiver denial notice, if possible.
- f you are applying for TPS Cameroon, you may file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, online. When filing an initial TPS application, you can also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization online with your Form I-821.
- Note: the online USCIS portal is a complicated tool. We recommend that you and your attorney file a paper application to the address below.
- If you are filing a paper application, send your TPS package to the appropriate address in the table below:
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
- USCIS
- Attn: TPS Cameroon
- P.O. Box 4091
- Carol Stream, IL 60197-4091
FedEx, UPS, or DHL deliveries:
- USCIS
- Attn: TPS Cameroon (Box 4091)
- 2500 Westfield Drive
- Elgin, IL 60124-7836
How Do Eligible Individuals Apply For TPS?
- Evidence to prove your identity and nationality (passport, birth certificate + photo ID)
- Evidence to prove your date of entry into the United States (Passport, Form I-94/Notice to Appear, school/medical records, employment records etc.)
- Evidence to prove your residence in the United States on or before April 14, 2022 (rental agreement, pay stub, utilities bill, Note: document must include your name) and physical presence on or before June 7, 2022
- Court disposition records (if you were ever arrested, charged, or convicted for a criminal offense)
- Note: If you submit any documents (copies or original documents, if requested) in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation along with a certification from the translator verifying that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language to English.
Employment Authorization For TPS
- TPS work authorization under this designation for Cameroon will be valid until...
- Applicants who want to obtain an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD, under TPS must file an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and pay the Form I-765 fee (or submit a Request for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912)).
- If you do not want to request an EAD during the TPS registration period, you may also file Form I-765 at a later date and pay the fee (or request a fee waiver), provided that you still have TPS or a pending TPS application.
- Consult the Federal Register Notice for more information about what documents to present to your employer related to work authorization through TPS.
- For general questions about the employment eligibility verification process, employees may call USCIS at 888-897-7781 (TTY 877-875-6028) or email USCIS at I-9Central@dhs.gov. USCIS accepts calls in English, and French languages. Employees or applicants may also call the IER Worker Hotline at 800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515) for information regarding employment discrimination based upon citizenship, immigration status, or national origin, including discrimination related to Form I-9 and E-Verify.
Documents You Should Begin To Prepare To Apply For TPS
TPS Form I-821, see TPS Application Instructions from USCIS and TPS for Cameroon USCIS homepage
- Evidence to prove your identity and nationality (passport, birth certificate + photo ID)
- Evidence to prove your date of entry into the United States (Passport, Form I-94/Notice to Appear, school/medical records, employment records etc.)
- Evidence to prove your residence in the United States on or before April 14, 2022 (rental agreement, pay stub, utilities bill, Note: document must include your name) and physical presence on or before June 7, 2022
- Court disposition records (if you were ever arrested, charged, or convicted for a criminal offense)
- Note: If you submit any documents (copies or original documents, if requested) in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation along with a certification from the translator verifying that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language to English.
Documents You Should Begin To Prepare To Apply For TPS
Please be aware that some unauthorized practitioners may try to take advantage of you by claiming they can file TPS forms. These same individuals may ask that you pay them to obtain such forms; however, all USCIS forms are free for download from the USCIS website at uscis.gov/forms.
However, otherwise eligible individuals are not eligible if they:
- Have been convicted of any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the US
- Are found to be inadmissible (immigration laws require admissibility for TPS) under criminal and security related grounds that are not waivable
- Are subject to any of the mandatory bars to asylum – such as participation in the persecution of another individual or engaging in terrorist activity
- IF YOU APPLY FOR TPS AND ARE FOUND INELIGIBLE, YOU COULD BE PLACED IN REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS AND PUT AT RISK OF DEPORTATION. PLEASE CONSULT WITH AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY BEFORE APPLYING FOR TPS.
Important Questions To Ask Yourself Before Applying For TPS
- Have you had any contact with the police or received any tickets or citations?
- Have you ever been arrested?
- Have you ever been in court (excluding an immigration court)?
- Were you ever placed in handcuffs or in the back of a police vehicle?
- Note: the TPS application will require you to disclose all information about your arrests and criminal history both in the US and in Cameroon. Please prepare to share all relevant information with your attorney or the individual preparing your application.
- If you answered YES to any of the above, do you know the current disposition (the current status or final outcome of an arrest or prosecution) of your criminal case? Please prepare to share this information with your attorney or the individual preparing your application.
