Re-Registration Period Opens for Honduras TPS

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Executive Summary

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras has been extended through July 5, 2018.
• Honduran TPS beneficiaries have until February 13, 2018 to re-register.
• Employment Authorization Documents expiring on January 5, 2018 will be automatically extended through July 4, 2018.

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The situation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of Honduras for six months, from January 6, 2018 through July 5, 2018, while it works to determine whether conditions in Honduras warrant continued TPS designation. Current Honduran TPS beneficiaries have until February 13, 2018 to re-register.

Re-registering for TPS

• Who may re-register: Re-registration is limited to those who previously registered for and were granted TPS under the designation of Honduras.
• When to re-register: In order to extend TPS benefits, including work authorization, current Honduran beneficiaries must submit Form I-821 with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services by February 13, 2018. Failure to re-register will result in a loss of status and work authorization.

• Automatic extensions of employment authorization: Existing employment authorization documents (EADs) issued under the Honduran TPS designation with an expiration date of January 5, 2018 will be automatically extended for 180 days, through July 4, 2018. Though Honduran TPS beneficiaries may apply for a new EAD with an expiration date of July 5, 2018, they are not required to do so.

I-9 employment eligibility verification

For Form I-9 employment eligibility verification purposes, through July 4, 2018, employers may accept a TPS-related EAD with a January 5, 2018 expiration date along with a copy of the December 15, 2017 Federal Register notice, explaining that the EAD was automatically extended.

Looking ahead

DHS has stated that prior to July 5, 2018, it will review country conditions in Honduras and determine whether to extend, terminate, or redesignate its TPS. Fragomen is closely tracking the future of TPS for beneficiaries from Honduras and other countries with approaching TPS expirations, and will provide updates as developments occur.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.