Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem Cancels Afghanistan TPS

According to Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, after consulting with interagency partners, the conditions in Afghanistan consist of a stable economy and improved security. As a result, Afghanistan no longer meets the requirements necessary to have Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The TPS designation for Afghanistan has been officially terminated. This means that Afghan nationals will be going back to Afghanistan, as returning to the country no longer poses a threat to their personal safety. Furthermore, Noem said that continuing to keep Afghan nationals in the United States temporarily is not in the best national interest of the U.S.

 What is TPS?

As long as 60 days before a country with TPS designation expires, the Secretary of Homeland Security must meet with various U.S. government agencies and review the conditions of the country to determine if the designation should be extended or terminated. Afghanistan was under TPS designation that was set to expire on May 20, 2025. Since Secretary Noem’s announcement, termination of TPS for Afghanistan will be effective on July 14, 2025.

The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a country with TPS if any of the following are taking place:

• Ongoing armed conflict
• An environmental catastrophe or epidemic
• Miscellaneous, extraordinary, and temporary conditions exist

Eligible individuals from countries with TPS status have certain privileges and safeguards, such as:

• They can remain in the U.S. and cannot be removed
• They can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)
• They may be granted travel authorization
• After obtaining TPS, DHS cannot detain such an individual based on their immigration status in the country

Although the TPS status protects individuals from harm that could befall them in their own country by permitting them to temporarily stay in the U.S., it does not lead to any type of immigration status. Still, individuals who have TPS may apply for nonimmigrant status, file for an adjustment of status based on an immigration petition, or apply for another immigration benefit that they are eligible to receive.

Current Countries with TPS 

Afghanistan is listed as a country that has current TPS, but given Secretary Noem’s announcement, it will change in July once the status is terminated. Other countries that the U.S. designated for TPS include:

• Burma (Myanmar)
• Cameroon
• El Salvador
• Ethiopia
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Lebanon
• Nepal
• Nicaragua
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Ukraine
• Venezuela
• Yemen

 Speak with an Atlanta Immigration Attorney Today

Any country can become unstable, putting its citizens in extreme danger of harm. An adverse and catastrophic weather condition or civil unrest are just two examples where individuals must leave their home country and seek safety in the U.S. If the conditions in your country are perilous and you fear for your safety, you may be considering your options, including trying to flee to the United States. Although if you are unsure what your rights are and how to do so, an Atlanta temporary protected status lawyer at Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. can help.

For a consultation to discuss your immigration needs and case, please call Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. at 404-523-3611. One of our immigration lawyers in Atlanta, GA, can assist you.

Source:

uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-terminating-temporary-protected-status-for-afghanistan