Information about the extension of the Temporary Protected Status for Honduras
The government of the United States of America decided to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until October 2021, for 44,000 Hondurans residing in the United States.
For more information on the Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Honduras
What is TPS Temporary Protected Status?
TPS (for its acronym in English) is a temporary immigration status granted by the United States Government to eligible persons from a certain country (or persons without nationality whose last residence has been in that country), designated under the Immigration Law and Nationality (INA). In the period during which the Secretary of Homeland Security designates a country with TPS, beneficiaries can remain in the United States legally, and obtain an employment authorization as long as they comply with the terms and conditions of the same.
It should be noted that TPS does not lead to permanent residence. The moment the Secretary terminates the TPS designation of a country, the beneficiaries return to the immigration status they had before TPS, or to any other status that they may have obtained during the time of protection under TPS.
In the specific case of Honduras, the country was favored with TPS on January 5, 1999 after the disaster caused by Hurricane Mitch at the end of 1998, since among the causes for a country to be eligible for such benefit, They are: the occurrence of ongoing armed conflicts that made it impossible for their nationals to return safely to the United States, and the existence of extraordinary phenomena that caused significant damage to the country.
When to apply for TPS?
If you did not re-enroll during one of the following re-enrollment periods that ran from May 16, 2016 to July 15, 2016, December 15, 2017 to February 13, 2018, or June 5, 2018 through June 6, August 2018, you can submit a late re-enrollment application that includes a letter explaining the reason for submitting your delay. We will determine if your reasons are «good cause» for filing late, as required by TPS law.
Chronology of the TPS granted in favor of Honduras and its subsequent extensions:
- On May 5, 2000, the US Government granted a first 12-month extension to the TPS granted in January 1999: the extension covered the period from July 5, 2000 to July 5, 2001.
- On May 3, 2001, the US Government grants a second 12-month extension: from the period July 5, 2001 / to July 5, 2002.
- On May 1, 2002, the US Government grants a third 12-month extension: from July 5, 2002 / to July 5, 2003.
- On April 30, 2003, the US Government grants a fourth extension; this time for 18 months: from the period July 5, 2003 / to January 5, 2005.
- On October 29, 2004, the US Government granted a fifth extension of 18 months: from the period January 5, 2005 / to July 5, 2006.
- On July 3, 2006, the US Government grants a sixth 12-month extension: from the period July 5, 2006 / to July 5, 2007.
- On May 2, 2007, the US Government grants a Seventh extension for 18 months: from the period July 5, 2007 / to January 5, 2009.
- On September 26, 2008, the US Government grants an Eighth 18-month extension: from January 5/2009 to July 5, 2010.
- On May 4, 2010, the US Government grants a ninth 18-month extension: from July 6, 2010 to January 5, 2012.
- On November 4, 2011, the US Government grants a tenth extension of 18 months: from the period January 6, 2012 to July 5, 2013.
- On April 3, 2013, a 11th extension was granted by the US Government (for 18 months), which ran from July 5, 2013 to January 5, 2015.
- On October 16, 2014, the United States Government granted the twelfth extension to the TPS, which runs from January 6, 2015 to July 5, 2016.
- On May 16, 2016, the United States Government announced the thirteenth extension to the TPS, which runs from July 6, 2016 to January 5, 2018.
- On November 06, 2017, the Government of the United States announced the fourteenth extension to the TPS, which covers from January 06, 2018 to July 05, 2018.
- On May 04, 2018, the United States Government announced the fifteenth extension to the TPS, which runs from July 06, 2018 to January 05, 2020. Which would be considered the last extension.
- On November 1, 2019, the United States Government announced an automatic extension of their work permits until January 4, 2021. TPS benefits will remain in force while the lawsuit filed by Honduran and Nepalese Tepesians known as Battarai v. Nielsen, don’t be resolved.
From the application, approval, validity and re-registration period to the thirteenth extension to the TPS
- APPROVAL : The official announcement of the United States Government of the twelfth extension of the Temporary Protected Status for Hondurans was issued by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security through its head, Secretary Jeh Johnson on May 16, 2016, as seen in the following hyperlink on the official website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/archive/temporary-protected-status-extended-for-honduras
- VALIDITY : The thirteenth extension to the TPS will run from July 6, 2016 to January 5, 2018.
- REGISTRATION PERIOD: The registration period for the thirteenth extension runs from May 16, 2016 to July 16 of the same year.
Procedures and forms in the context of the thirteenth extension to TPS
- For re-enrollment in TPS: Form I-821, or «Application for Temporary Protection Status,» must be filled out, without a fee; which can be downloaded at the following hyperlink: https://www.uscis.gov/es/i-821
- Application for Employment Authorization on re-registration in TPS: Form I-765 must be completed. $ 380.00 fee (with money order); which can be downloaded at the following hyperlink: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
- Payment for Biometric Services: $ 85.00 fee. (with money order)
- Cases of payment exemption: In case the applicant proves that he does not have the resources to pay the application fee for employment authorization (payment for biometric services is not exempt), he must fill out the exemption form I- 912; which can be downloaded at the following hyperlink: https://www.uscis.gov/es/i-912
Additional notes on procedures and forms:
- It must be proven along with the I-765 form, photocopy of the back and right of your work card (EAD), if you received an EAD during the last re-enrollment period.
- In case the work permit (EAD) is not requested by the interested party, you will have to send the I-765 form without any payment, writing the clarification that it is “FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSE ONLY”.
- It is not necessary to send photographs, as they will be taken at the time of the appointment granted by USCIS for biometric control.
- The applicant will appear to stamp their fingerprints, photos and signature at the USCIS application support center, whose location will be informed by the immigration authority to the applicant.
- In the case of the children of people already enrolled in TPS, fourteen (14) years of age and older, and who are now eligible for TPS benefits, they must make the payment of eighty-five dollars ($ 85.00) for fingerprints or biometric services. If you wish to apply for a work permit, you must submit form I-765 along with a Money Order for US $ 380.00 in favor of the Department of Homeland Security.
Where can I get the forms?
The forms can be obtained in four ways:
- Going to a consular office of Honduras in the US;
- By downloading them electronically from the website of the Honduran Embassy in Washington, DC ( www. Hondurasembusa.org )
- By calling the USCIS toll-free number (1-800-870-3676), and
- Downloading them from the website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (US Citizenship and Immigration Services www.uscis.gov in the «Forms or Forms» window)
Payment mechanism for biometric forms and services
Payments must be credited through Money Orders issued in favor of «US Department of Homeland Security», or by credit or debit card if the applicant has an account in the USCIS E-filing system for the processing of formal applications. electronic:
Said payments will be made in accordance with the following table:
| By re-registration using Form i-821 | $0.00 (Only in case of late registration, or for the 1st time, $ 50.00 will be paid) |
| By Request for Employment Authorization through Form i-765 | $380.00 |
| By Biometric Services | $85.00 |
| Total $465.00 |
Additional notes on payment via money orders:
- Money Orders must be credited together with the corresponding forms at the time of shipment by the applicant.
- The USCIS authorities have been consulted about the possibility that the amounts to be paid for the forms appear in a single Money Order or in several Money Orders with amounts associated with the value of each procedure (fingerprint, employment authorization, etc.). The answer on the matter has been that it is possible that both ways are used, however, it is recommended that the Money Orders be sent separately since in the past there have been problems in this regard with the subcontracted company for the process. of review of the requests to have sent the amounts in a single security title.
- It is important to send money orders specifically in favor of «US Department of Homeland Security», without the use of abbreviations.
Addresses for submitting forms
| Sending forms and associated documents (by postal service) | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Attn: TPS Honduras P.O. Box 6943 Chicago, IL 60680-6943 |
| Late registration for the first time (via postal service) | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Attn: TPS Honduras P.O. Box 6943 Chicago, IL 60680-6943 |
| Sending forms and associated documents, without using postal service (via FedEX, UPS, etc.) | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Attn: TPS Honduras P.O. Box 6943 Chicago, IL 60680-6943 |
| Sending electronic forms (Applies only to applicants who do not have to send additional documentation) | In this case, the applicant must have an account in the USCIS E-filing system to process applications electronically. For more information see https://www.uscis.gov/es/presentacion-de-solicitudes-en-linea/formularios-disponibles-para-la-presentacion-en-linea |
Address change cases
- USCIS mails work permits to the address on the forms.- In previous re-registration periods, a number of Hondurans moved in the time between submitting the forms and receiving the permit. As a result, the permits reached their old addresses and were never forwarded to them.
- In order to avoid the above, those who move before receiving their work permit are advised to take the following actions:
- Notify the USCIS of the change of address, filling out and sending the AR-11 form by certified mail, to the address that appears on the form and to the Service Center where you send your documents. To obtain a copy of the AR -11 form, you can use any of the ways described above to obtain forms.
- If you have moved, ask the landlord or another person residing at the old address to forward your correspondence to the new address.
- Remember that if you notify a US post office of the address change and not the USCIS office, the post office DOES NOT redirect federal correspondence and it will be returned to the Immigration authority as undelivered.
Cases of late registration (only if it is the first time that the interested party requests to benefit from TPS)
Those Hondurans who did not register for TPS on the previous occasions will have the opportunity to do so and receive its benefits, only if they meet the following requirements:
Basic requirements:
- Be a citizen of Honduras (or a non-citizen foreigner whose last habitual residence was in Honduras);
- Have resided in the US continuously until December 30, 1998
- Have been physically and continuously present in the United States since January 5, 1999; and Be admissible as an immigrant.
- Additionally, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that during the registration period for the initial designation (from January 5, 1999 to August 20, 1999):
- You had pending or awaiting further review or appeal, a request for change of status, adjustment of status, asylum, voluntary departure, or any relief from removal;
- He was on parole or had a pending request for parole re-granting;
- Or you were the spouse or child of an alien currently eligible for TPS enrollment.
- An applicant for late initial registration must submit a late registration request no later than sixty days after the expiration or expiration of the conditions described above.
- An individual who has been convicted of an aggravated crime or two or more offenses committed within the United States is not eligible for TPS. Similarly, an individual subject to certain conditions of inadmissibility of a criminal or security-related nature, or to whom any of the impediments to obtaining asylum apply, is not eligible for TPS.
Suggested Documents to Submit for a Late Enrollment
- Copy of Passport (unless the original is required by USCIS)
- Birth Certificate, (translated into English), accompanied by a photo for identification.
- Any other identification document from your country of origin with a photo and fingerprint.
Extension of employment permits (EAD)
- USCIS has automatically extended the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under the latest Honduras TPS extension for an additional 6 months through January 5, 2017.
- To continue working legally, you can submit the following documentation to your employer and government agencies: Your TPS-related EAD with an expiration date of July 5, 2016
- A copy of the Federal Register Notice (enter this link)
- Your employer may rely on the Federal Register Notice as evidence of the continuing validity of your EAD. Go to the fact sheet Documents Employers May Accept and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status Submit as Evidence of Employment Eligibility.
- If USCIS approves your reenrollment request and you paid the fee for a new EAD (or USCIS approved your fee waiver request), you will be issued a new EAD with an expiration date of January 5, 2018.
Answers to frequently asked questions
The USCIS website has a section of frequently asked questions on the subject of expanding the TPS granted to our Country. Although it is true this section is not yet updated with the specific data on the twelfth extension to the TPS, it contains a series of valuable information applicable today, within which we highlight the following questions and answers:
Can I re-enroll electronically through the Internet?
If you re-register for TPS during the re-registration period and do not need to submit additional documentation, you can submit your application electronically. Please visit the TPS page of the USCIS website to determine if you need to submit additional documents with your application package. If you have to submit additional documentation, you are not eligible to submit your application electronically.
For information on filing electronically, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/e-filing or E-filing for TPS.
What if I have an appointment at the ASC (Application Assistance Center) but can’t make it?
If you do not show up for your ASC appointment, your case will be denied for abandonment until you submit an address change notice or rescheduling request prior to your appointment. USCIS has to verify that your rescheduling for the appointment is valid.
How can I change my ASC appointment for taking biometric data?
To request a date change for your ASC appointment, send the original copy of your appointment with the date change to the ASC address on the notice. Be sure to make a copy of your original notice and keep it for your records. Another notice will be sent to you with a new date. Please note that changing your biometrics appointment could result in a delay in the resolution of your case.
How can I change my ASC appointment for taking biometric data?
To request a date change for your ASC appointment, send the original copy of your appointment with the date change to the ASC address on the notice. Be sure to make a copy of your original notice and keep it for your records. Another notice will be sent to you with a new date. Please note that changing your biometrics appointment could result in a delay in the resolution of your case.
What documents should I bring to my appointment at the ASC?
When you are informed about your appointment at the ASC, you should bring the following documents:
- photo identity documents,
- the notice of receipt of your re-enrollment application,
- your ASC appointment notice, and
- your current EAD, if you have one.
Will Hondurans protected by TPS be able to travel to their home countries during the TPS extension?
USCIS reserves the discretion to grant permits to travel abroad. You must apply for and obtain advance permission before traveling outside of the United States in order to avoid losing your TPS status and to facilitate your re-entry.
Can I use TPS as a basis for obtaining permanent resident status?
No. TPS is a temporary benefit that does not lead to lawful permanent resident status by itself or confer any other immigration status.
Can I apply for another immigration status while I am registered for TPS?
Yes. Registration for TPS does not prevent you from applying for nonimmigrant status, applying for adjustment of status based on an immigrant petition, or applying for any other immigration benefits or protection for which you may be eligible. For purposes of change and adjustment of status, an alien must be in and maintain lawful nonimmigrant status for the period established when TPS is granted. However, if a foreigner has ever been in the country without any legal immigration status before or after TPS protection, the period (s) of unlawful presence may negatively affect their chances of adjusting their status to resident. permanent or other immigration benefits, depending on the circumstances of the particular case. In some cases,the alien may be eligible for an exemption from the inadmissibility criteria derived from unlawful presence when applying to adjust status to permanent resident or some other immigration status.
What happens if an immigration judge or BIA grants me TPS?
If you were granted TPS by an immigration judge or BIA, you must show proof of the TPS grant (for example, the final decision of the immigration judge or BIA) when you apply for TPS benefits (for example, an EAD or a travel permit). You will also need to submit a copy of the I-821 form that the immigration judge or BIA approved.
Consultation sites
The official consultation sites on the re-registration process in the twelfth extension of the TPS in favor of Honduras are the following:
USCIS website https://www.uscis.gov/es
USCIS Phones
- 1 800 375 5283
- 1 800 767 1833 (For people with hearing disabilities)
Website Embassy of Honduras, Washington DC https://hondurasembusa.org/
Embassy emails for TPS inquiries:
- restrada@hondurasemb.org
- gperezcadalso@hondurasemb.org
- kescalante@hondurasemb.org
Avoid Immigration Scams
Please be aware that some unauthorized people may try to take advantage of you by telling you that they can file TPS forms. These same people may ask you to pay them for filing these forms. We want to ensure that all potential TPS applicants know how to get accurate and legitimate legal help and assistance. You can find a list of accredited providers and free or low-cost legal assistance on our Find Legal Services page of our website.
We do not want you to become the victim of an immigration scam. If you need legal help on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to do so. Only an attorney or authorized representative who works for an organization recognized by the Department of Justice can give you legal help. Visit the Avoid Immigration Scams website for information and resources.
