Temporary Protected Status Announced for Venezuela, Myanmar

Over the past week, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, has designated Venezuela and Myanmar (Burma*) for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. By designating these countries for Temporary Protected Status, Venezuelan and Burmese nationals as well as certain other individuals will be eligible to submit initial applications for TPS. Under TPS, individuals are temporarily protected from removal / deportation, and will be permitted to remain in the US and apply for employment authorization as long as the TPS designations are still in effect and other eligibility requirements continue to be satisfied.

Venezuela and Myanmar join ten other countries (including El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) that are already designated for Temporary Protected Status.

Venezuela TPS Designation

On March 9, 2021 the Secretary of Homeland Security designated Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status for a period of 18 months through September 9, 2022. Individuals who are nationals of Venezuela (or individuals without nationality who last resided in Venezuela) must file an application with US Citizenship and Immigration Services within a 180-day registration period ending on September 5, 2021. To qualify, individuals must have been in continuous residence in the US since March 8, 2021 with continuous physical presence in the US since March 9, 2021. Individuals who qualify may also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, which permits temporary employment while in the US. Interested individuals can review the eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for Venezuela TPS by going to the Federal Register Notice or the USCIS web page on the Venezuela TPS program.

Myanmar (*Burma)

On March 12, 2021 the Secretary designated Burma* for Temporary Protected Status for a period of 18 months. An announcement in the Federal Register is expected in the near future, as well as updated application information on the USCIS's Temporary Protected Status web page.

*Note that the US federal government continues to refer to Burma instead of Myanmar.

For Assistance

If you are a Tufts international student, scholar, employee or dependent who is interested and eligible for TPS under the current designations, you are recommended to consult with an immigration attorney to advise and assist you regarding your options. The International Center is unable to assist with preparing TPS applications or employment authorization applications available under TPS. However, please note that even if you are granted TPS, Tufts will continue to sponsor you under your current visa classification (e.g., F-1, J-1, H-1B) until that time you complete or withdraw from your program of activity or employment at Tufts, or your eligibility for your current visa classification otherwise comes to an end. If you have further questions, please write to us at internationalcenter@tufts.edu.