Washington, DC | www.adc.org | September 2, 2015 – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally announced that the Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, has approved a request made by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) to designate Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Yemeni nationals currently in the United States.
Click here to read the TPS request filed by ADC.
As a result of the increase in violence plaguing Yemen, ADC, along with the National Association of Yemeni Americans (NAYA), the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Yemeni American Association (YAA), the Yemeni American Benevolent Association (YABA), and the Yemeni American Civil Rights Coalition (YACRC), filed a formal petition with Department of Homeland Security requesting that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) be granted to Yemeni nationals currently present in the United States. Due to the worsening humanitarian situation on the ground in Yemen and the mounting number of deaths, it has become eminently clear that the forced return of civilians poses a grave threat to their personal safety.
The ADC Legal Department provides assistance with all immigration related matters, including assistance with TPS and asylum claims. For questions about TPS, contact ADC Legal at 202-244-2990, or send an email to legal@adc.org.
An advance copy of the DHS Notice regarding TPS for Yemen states:
This designation allows eligible Yemeni nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since September 3, 2015, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since September 3, 2015 to be granted TPS.
Individuals who believe they may qualify for TPS under this designation may apply within the 180-day registration period that begins on September 3, 2015, and ends on March 1, 2016. They may also apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) and for travel authorization. Non Yemeni nationals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen are also eligible for TPS, EADs, and travel authorization with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The TPS designation for Yemen will be effective for 18 months. Before the end of the TPS designation period, the DHS Secretary will review the conditions in Yemen and determine whether the conditions that led to the TPS designation continue to be met.
Yemeni nationals looking to obtain TPS need to be aware that the status is not automatically applied, and that it is necessary to file the appropriate forms. If you are applying for TPS for the first time, you must complete USCIS Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status), Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and submit a filing fee, supporting evidence of identity and nationality, proof of residence, and, if you are age 14 or older, a fee for biometric services.
Click here to visit USCIS.gov and read instructions on how to file for Temporary Protected Status.