The Biden administration is expanding Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Ukrainians already in the U.S. The status is available to nationals from a few dozen countries that the U.S. has deemed too dangerous to return to.
TPS is a temporary immigration status that allows non-U.S. citizens to stay in the U.S. legally and work. It’s given to nationals of countries dealing with conflict, national disaster or other issues.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that Ukrainian citizens and residents who have TPS can apply to extend it for another 18 months.
He also said the agency was redesigning the TPS status for Ukraine as a whole — meaning Ukrainians who are in the U.S. but don’t yet have the status can apply to get it.
Mayorkas said the war there has caused a humanitarian crisis that’s left residents without infrastructure, electricity or access to medical services — making it impossible to return safely.
