Afghanistan has been granted 18 months of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). TPS will only be available to people who are currently living in the United States as of March 15, 2022.
Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas stated, “This TPS designation will help to protect Afghan nationals who have already been living in the United States from returning to unsafe conditions.” “Under this designation, reliable allies and vulnerable Afghans who have supported US military, diplomatic, and humanitarian activities in Afghanistan over the previous 20 years will get extra safeguards and assurances.”
On the statutory basis of continued armed conflict and unusual and temporary situations that preclude Afghan nationals from returning in safety, Secretary Mayorkas is designating Afghanistan for TPS. In Afghanistan, armed conflict continues, posing a major threat to the safety of returning citizens as the Taliban strives to establish rule over the country and Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) assaults civilians. A collapsing public sector, a worsening economic crisis, drought, food and water insecurity, lack of access to healthcare, internal displacement, human rights abuses and repression by the Taliban, destruction of infrastructure, and rising criminality are all extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent nationals from returning in safety.
Most Afghan nationals who arrived as part of the evacuation operation were paroled into the United States on a case-by-case basis for a period of two years and given work permits via Operation Allies Welcome. These people may be eligible for TPS as well. Visit Temporary Protected Status | USCIS for more information on how to apply for TPS.
The 18-month TPS designation for Afghanistan will take effect on the date the Federal Register notice is published. Instructions for applying for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document will be included in the Federal Register announcement.
