At Godoy Law Office, we have helped thousands of TPS holders in Illinois prepare for some of the most stressful moments in their immigration journey. If your country’s Temporary Protected Status designation has been terminated or is under review, here is the most important thing to know right now: you likely have time to explore your options, but you should not wait. Acting early can make a real difference.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration benefit that allows nationals of certain countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work legally in the United States. TPS does not lead to a green card on its own, but it provides legal status and work authorization for as long as the designation remains in effect.
When the government terminates TPS for a country, it means protection will end on a specified date. TPS holders from that country will no longer have legal status based on TPS alone after that date, unless they obtain another form of immigration status.
TPS termination does not mean you must leave immediately. Termination announcements are typically followed by a wind-down period, and in many cases, court challenges and injunctions have extended protections for TPS holders while legal proceedings play out.
It also does not mean you have no options. Many TPS holders may qualify for other forms of relief, they just need to explore those options before the window closes. This is why acting early is so important.
Do you have a US citizen or lawful permanent resident family member? Depending on the relationship and your immigration history, you may be able to apply for a green card through a qualifying family member. TPS holders in some circumstances have been able to pursue adjustment of status in the US. This area of law has seen significant changes and the details of your specific situation matter greatly. An attorney can advise you.
If you have a US employer who is willing to sponsor you, employment-based immigration may be an option worth exploring. This process involves labor certification and an immigrant visa petition depending on the specific category. Processing times vary and can be lengthy, so starting early is important.
Depending on your country of origin and personal circumstances, you may qualify for asylum, cancellation of removal, or other forms of humanitarian relief. Each of these has its own eligibility requirements and standards. An attorney can review your specific situation and help identify what options may exist.
TPS terminations have frequently been challenged in federal court, and courts have issued injunctions blocking terminations in some cases. It is important to follow legal developments related to your country’s TPS status, as court orders can affect your rights and timeline significantly.
Our team at Godoy Law Office, based in Oak Brook and serving clients across Illinois and nationwide, has experience with TPS cases and the immigration options that may be available to TPS holders. We have former USCIS employees on staff who understand how these applications are evaluated.
We serve clients in English and Spanish and we always provide a written fee agreement before any work begins. With 900+ five-star Google reviews and 6,000+ clients helped, we are committed to giving you honest, clear guidance. Call us for an immigration evaluation. 630-345-4164
Not necessarily. TPS terminations typically include a wind-down period, and court injunctions have in some cases extended protections while litigation proceeds. However, once TPS expires without another status in place, you would be in the US without authorization, which carries serious immigration consequences. This is why acting early is critical.
In some cases, TPS holders may be able to pursue a green card through a qualifying family member or employer. Whether this is possible depends on how you entered the US, your immigration history, and other factors. This is an area of law that has seen significant court activity and should be evaluated by an attorney based on your specific circumstances.
Work authorization through TPS typically ends when the TPS designation expires or is terminated. Obtaining different work authorization will require a separate application based on a different immigration status. Do not wait until the expiration to start exploring alternatives.
Processing times vary widely depending on the type of application and your individual circumstances. In many cases, getting another immigration status in place can take months or even years which is one of the primary reasons why starting the process early matters so much.
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Immigration Attorney Mario Godoy has years of experience guiding clients with immigration issues through the immigration process along with guiding clients through the criminal case. Godoy focuses on family-based immigration law, business immigration law, removal defense, and criminal defense representation of immigrants. A criminal charge or conviction can be devastating to your immigration case. With over a decade of immigration law experience and memories of family members who were deported due to bad legal advice, Godoy is committed to helping other immigrant families receive the legal justice they deserve. As a legal entrepreneur who practices immigration law, criminal law, estate and probate law, and running two successful law firms, Mario Godoy understands the importance of keeping families together and making a home and future in America.
