Yes, you can! Thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Biden administration to pivot toward the humanitarian treatment of immigrants, TPS has been granted for Venezuelans living in the U.S. since Mach 8, 2021. 

WHAT IS TPS? 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration benefit for immigrants present in the United States, whose countries have experienced a humanitarian crisis. The relevant TPS countries are Venezuela; Syria; Sudan; South Sudan; Somalia; Honduras; Nicaragua; Nepal; Haiti; El Salvador; and Yemen. Each TPS designated country has its own specific requirements for qualification. Click here for more info.

Nationals of that country will not be forced to return there from the U.S. for a designated period of time, can travel outside the U.S. and receive employment authorization, i.e. work permit. TPS is normally granted for only a year at a time, but often with several renewals. Generally the national must have filed during the initial registration period in order to benefit from TPS.

WILL TPS LEAD TO A GREEN CARD? 

The best answer is maybe. See details: https://www.austinimmigrationlawyer.com/the-path-to-green-cards-for-those-on-tps-and-daca/

The Austin immigration lawyer, Michael G. Murray, has successfully assisted dozens of TPS holders in obtaining lawful permanent resident status (green cards), including TPS holders with unlawful presence, entry without inspection, and even deportation orders. Mainly this has been through the route of family visa petitions filed by U.S. citizen spouses or adult children. https://www.austinimmigrationlawyer.com/family-immigration/  

DO I QUALIFY FOR TPS – VENEZUELA? 

If you were born in Venezuela or have Venezuelan citizenship and you have been in the U.S. since March 8, 2021, you will qualify for TPS. 

An applicant will be denied a grant of TPS, or may lose the TPS status he or she already  if he or she has the following criminal record :

  1.  is inadmissible under the criminal grounds;
  2.  Has been convicted of any two misdemeanors or one felony.
  3.  Has been convicted of a “particularly serious crime” (determined on a case by case basis). 

HOW DO I APPLY FOR TPS IF I’M FROM VENEZUELA? 

The registration period for Venezeulan’s to apply for TPS is open as of March 9, 2021 and will continue until September 5, 2021. 

To speak with an experienced Austin immigration lawyer about filing your TPA application for Venezuela, please call  Austin immigration lawyer Michael G. Murray, of Michael G.Murray, P.A. You can call today at (512) 215-4407, or contact the firm online, to learn more.

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