Temporary Protected Status Explained - Middle School

What is TPS?

TPS stands for Temporary Protected Status. It is a humanitarian program created by the U.S. government to let people from specific countries live and work in the U.S. safely when it is too dangerous for them to return to their home country.

How TPS Works

TPS protects foreign citizens already living in the U.S. from being sent back to a place in crisis. TPS holders can get an official work permit to get a job and support themselves. However, it is never permanent. The status lasts for 6 to 18 months at a time and must be renewed if the danger continues.

Why is a Country Chosen?

The U.S. government decides a country qualifies for TPS if it suffers from natural disasters, dangerous wars, or sudden emergencies, such as an epidemic. 

Rules and Limits

A person must already be inside the U.S. on the exact day the country is named for TPS. It does not help people trying to enter the country. TPS does not give a person a green card or a permanent path to U.S. citizenship.

 If the U.S. government decides a home country is safe again, the TPS program ends for that country, and people must return unless they have another legal status.

TPS Today

A recent Supreme Court decision made it much harder for TPS holders and their lawyers to fight government decisions in court. The government is moving forward to end TPS for several countries such as Haiti, whose people have lived and worked in the U.S. since a massive earthquake struck their country in 2010.