USCIS Secretary Mayorkas announced on Friday that the country of Ukraine has been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).  TPS is an immigration benefit that allows citizens of a designated country who are already present in the United States to apply to remain temporarily in the United States due their inability to return to their home country as a result of dangerous conditions such as civil war or natural disaster.  Individuals eligible for TPS may also apply for employment authorization. In this designation, Ukrainians in the U.S. as of March 1, 2022 may apply to continue their stay for up to 18 months.

Secretary Mayorkas explained that “Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries . . .  In these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support and protection to Ukrainian nationals in the United States.” To learn more about TPS and the application process, please contact us for a consultation.