Temporary Protected Status Designated For Ukraine – Immigration

On March 3, 2022, Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas of the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Ukraine for
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. “Russia’s
premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an
ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek
refuge in other countries,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “In
these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support
and protection to Ukrainian nationals in the United
States.”

TPS designation for a country may be authorized when country
conditions meet one or more of the following statutory bases for
designation: ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or
extraordinary and temporary conditions. DHS has based Ukraine’s
TPS designation on both the ongoing armed conflict with Russia and
the resulting extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ukraine
that preclude a safe return of Ukrainian nationals to Ukraine.
Following this designation, Ukraine joins a list of 12 other
countries whose nationals are currently eligible for TPS.

To be eligible for TPS under this designation, Ukrainian
nationals must have continuously resided in the United States since
March 1, 2022. TPS designation will not be available to Ukrainians
who travel to the U.S. and arrive after March 1, 2022.

Ukrainians interested in pursuing TPS must register for
protection during a defined registration period, pay all associated
fees, and establish eligibility for TPS. TPS may be issued
regardless of present immigration status in the United States, and
all applicants must undergo security and background checks. The TPS
designation for Ukraine will take effect upon a forthcoming
publication in the Federal Register, which will
establish the registration period and provide instructions for
individuals to apply for TPS and an associated Employment
Authorization Document (EAD).

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