Miami-Dade residents receive advice on the “Temporary Protected Status” (TPS) for Haitian Nationals
MIAMI – On Saturday, March 27, 2010 Haitian Nationals in South Florida received “Temporary Protected Status” (TPS) advice from representatives of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Commission Chairman Dennis C. Moss coordinated the event as part of the Board of County Commissioners continued relief efforts. The informative session where also 2010 U.S. Census information was provided took place at the Phichol Williams Community Center, 951 SW 4th St., in Homestead, Florida.
TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of a certain country designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security because that country has experienced temporary negative conditions, such as armed conflict or an environmental disaster, that prevent nationals of the country from returning safely or for the country to handle their return adequately. TPS beneficiaries are allowed to remain in the United States and can legally work for a set time period, in this case, until July 22, 2011.
According to the USCIS, Haitian nationals who have continuously resided in the U.S. since January 12, 2010 may apply for TPS beginning January 21, 2010, the date the Federal Register notice was published. The registration period will continue for 180 days from that date. The application will be considered as being properly filed if it is postmarked on or before the last day of the registration period. Once complete, USCIS will efficiently and timely process your application.
Registration means filing both an Application for Temporary Protected Status, form I-821, and an Application for Employment Authorization, form I-765. The fee for Form I-821 is $50. A separate $80 biometric fee is required if you are age 14 to 65. A $340 fee must accompany Form I-765 for employment authorization if you are age 14-65. If you do not require employment authorization, Form I-765 is still required but no fee is necessary.
Haitian nationals may request a waiver of TPS-related application fees by submitting a fee waiver request with proper documentation of inability to pay. Fee waivers may also be given for humanitarian reasons such as disability, homelessness or age. These forms are available by calling the toll-free USCIS Forms Hotline (800) 870-3676 or by selecting Forms on the USCIS web site: www.uscis.gov.
