Background Handout Resource on TPS

Temporary Protected Status: A Faithful Response to Humanitarian Crises

What is TPS (Temporary Protected Status)?

Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is a life-saving immigration program that allows foreign nationals to remain in the U.S. if, while they were in the U.S., something catastrophic happened in their country of origin that prevented their safe return. Examples include war, famine, natural disaster, or epidemic. TPS protects people from deportation and allows them to work legally while they remain in the U.S. TPS is a temporary, humanitarian form of relief that does not grant permanent residence in the U.S., nor does it provide of “amnesty” to unauthorized immigrants.  A variety of political and/or environmental catastrophes have justified TPS designations since the program was established in 1990 with bipartisan Congressional support. Right now, TPS has protected approximately 330,000 people in the U.S. who would otherwise be subjected to disease, violence, starvation, the aftermath of natural disasters, and other life-threatening conditions.  Go here for background handout resource on TPS