Proposed Legislation to Let Temporary Protected Status Recipients Apply for Residency and Work
Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and over 20 of their Democratic colleagues reintroduced the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency Act, legislation to allow Temporary Protected Status recipients to apply for legal permanent residency and receive work authorization.
TPS is a temporary, legal immigration status granted to foreign citizens who are endangered by conditions in their home country resulting from extraordinary events, such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster or epidemic. TPS status is granted for set periods ranging from six to 18 months, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to extend a country’s status on a recurring basis. Each time a country is recertified, recipients must reapply and pass a thorough background check.