The US government announced on January 15, 2010 that it would grant tens of thousands Haitian nationals Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. This is good news for these Haitians who are present in the United States without legal status. TPS is granted to selected immigrants who cannot safely return to their homelands because of natural disasters, armed conflicts or other emergencies. Those eligible are allowed to remain here, obtain work permits and temporary stays for specific periods. \

According to the Secretary of US Homeland Security Department Janet Napolitano, this is a response to January 12, 2010's devastating earthquake disaster and this designation will allow eligible Haitian nationals in the United States to continue living and working in our country for the next 18 months. TPS status often gets renewed for a long period of time or indefinitely. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are available for Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of January 12, 2010.

What documents are needed for Xie Law Offices to process the TPS applications for Haitian nationals? Haitian nationals who want to apply for TPS should bring the following documents to us at the time of visit:

1. Proof of Haitian nationality (birth certificate, passport, ID card, baptismal record)
2. Proof of entry into the USA before January 13th, 2010
3. Proof of presence in the USA without interruption since date of entry.
4. Application I-821 with $50 filing fee (money order made out to Department of Homeland Security)
5. Application I-765 and $340 filing fee (money order made out to Department of Homeland Security) - except for children under 14 and adults over 65
6. Money order for $80 fingerprinting fee (made out to Department of Homeland Security)
7. Documentation for an and all past applications to USCIS or from the immigration court
8. Final, original court dispositions for any and all arrests, criminal charges, and traffic tickets.
9. Any other documents or IDs issued by the US federal government or US state government agencies

Any questions about TPS applications for Haitian nationals, please contact xielaw.