BY RAYMOND RICO
The first deadline for El Salvador Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries is September 10, 2023!
The Department of Homeland Security has issued new regulations detailing when current TPS beneficiaries must submit their applications to re-register their status.
For El Salvador the deadline is from July 12, 2023 to September 10, 2023, Honduras (from November 6, 2023 to January 5, 2024), Nepal (from October 24, 2023 to December 23, 2023), and Nicaragua (from November 6, 2023 to January 5, 2024).
Let me be very clear: If you don’t submit the necessary forms, those who currently have this benefit will lose it.
There are a few myths circulating that, although they are understandable, are wrong.
During the last three years, the Department of Homeland Security has automatically renewed TPS status for TPS beneficiaries without having to go through this re-registration and application process. Many believe this is the case this time as well. This is no longer true. All who hope to keep this status must again submit their applications to re-register every 18 months.
Many believe that there will be exceptions made for late filing. Unfortunately, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will reject late filed applications unless there was a good cause for not filing timely. Such reasons need to be explained in detail and corroborated with evidence. The best practice would be to file before the deadlines described above.
The consequences of not filing would be that you could be subject to deportation if you don’t renew TPS. For many, the defenses to be able to stay in the United States would be few and difficult to achieve. An immigration judge will not simply allow you to stay in the United States because you previously had TPS status. Also, your ability to work in the United States and request permission to reenter the U.S. after traveling abroad will no longer be authorized.
The fee to renew is $495 but must be made in separate money orders/checks of $410 and $85 and must be included with your filing. Please consult with a trusted attorney about the benefits of re-registering and other evidence that must be included with your filing. Do not go to a notario.
Disappointingly, this news is not circulating in the print or television media and word of mouth often can leave out important details or leave people uncertain.
The fear is that many still do not know about this deadline or what it means to not re-register. So please spread this information to all who should know that this is happening.
