The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.
Individuals eligible for TPS under this designation must have continuously resided in the United States since March 15, 2022 and must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background checks.
The 18-month designation will go into effect with the forthcoming publication of the Federal Register notice and instructions for applying for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under this designation will be provided at that time as well.
In announcing the designation, DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said that the designation will help to protect Afghan nationals who have already been living in the United States from returning to unsafe conditions,” and will “provide additional protections and assurances to trusted partners and vulnerable Afghans who supported the U.S. military, diplomatic, and humanitarian missions in Afghanistan over the last 20 years.”