Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for Haiti for 18 Months

News release originally published by the Department of Homeland Security.

Redesignation Allows Newly Eligible Haitian Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documentation

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti for an additional 18 months, from February 4, 2023, through August 3, 2024, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti. He also redesignated Haiti for TPS, allowing Haitian nationals residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, to apply for TPS through August 3, 2024, so long as they meet all eligibility requirements. It is important to note that Haitians entering the United States after November 6, 2022, are not eligible for TPS and, like other individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States, will be subject to removal. To repeat: Haitians entering the United States after November 6, 2022, including those who might be considering entering now, are not eligible for TPS.

"We are providing much-needed humanitarian relief to Haitian nationals already present in the United States," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. "The conditions in Haiti, including socioeconomic challenges, political instability, and gang violence and crime – aggravated by environmental disaster – compelled the humanitarian relief we are providing today."

Secretary Mayorkas extended and redesignated Haiti for TPS after consultation with interagency partners and careful consideration of the extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti, including a prolonged political crisis; grave insecurity and gang crime that worsened a dire economic situation; a lack of access to food, water, fuel and health care during a resurgence of cholera; and the recent catastrophic earthquakes.

It is, as indicated above, important to note that TPS will apply only to those individuals who already have been residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, and who meet all other requirements. Those who attempt to travel to the United States after this announcement will not be eligible for TPS and, if they enter irregularly or without legal authorization, will be subject to repatriation.

A soon-to-be-published Federal Register notice will explain the eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and for new applicants to submit an initial application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD.