On Sept. 3, 2015, the Secretary of Homeland Security designated Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an 18 month period due to the ongoing armed conflict in the country. The deadline to register for TPS for Yemen is March 1, 2016. To register for TPS,  eligible nationals of Yemen (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) must file an application with USCIS. Once the application is approved, they are permitted to remain in the United States until March 3, 2017. In addition, those registered for TPS will be eligible to apply for work authorization in the United States.

To qualify for TPS, the applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

• maintained continuous physical presence in the United States since Sept. 3, 2015;
• resided continuously in the United States since Sept. 3, 2016.

Applicants over the age of 14 must also undergo security checks, and those with a criminal record or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS. Applicants may also request a fee waiver from USCIS from the application by submitting the appropriate request.

Please contact your Greenberg Traurig attorney for more information or assistance on this matter.