Nepal Designated for Temporary Protected Status – by Jennifer Kim & Danny Alicea

The City Bar Justice Center welcomes yesterday’s announcement by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson to designate Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) based on the conditions resulting from the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, and continuing aftershocks.

TPS is a humanitarian form of relief extended to foreign nationals from countries specifically designated for relief by the Department of State because of ongoing civil strife or, as is the case for Nepal, natural disasters.  “This is a temporary, compassionate and commonsense action that removes a burden of worry from Nepalese nationals already residing here in the U.S., who could have been required to return home to a devastated country,” said Senator Charles Schumer, who had written to the Department of Homeland Security for the protection.

The TPS designation for Nepal is effective June 24, 2015, through December 24, 2016. During the 18-month designated period, eligible nationals of Nepal cannot be removed from the United States, may receive work authorization, and be granted travel authorization.  The 180-day TPS registration period begins June 24, 2015, and runs through December 21, 2015.  The Federal Register notice published yesterday provides details and procedures for applying for TPS.

The City Bar Justice Center will be working with area organizations, including Adhikaar, the largest Nepali community group in New York City, to conduct TPS screenings and application assistance clinics.  The Justice Center has a long track record in organizing large-scale legal clinics in response to emerging needs and crises, including Special Registration following 9/11, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Hurricane Sandy, and Haitian TPS. Earlier this year, the Justice Center mobilized volunteer attorneys following the TPS designation for Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea in the wake of the ebola outbreak there.

Jennifer Kim is Director of the Refugee Assistance Project and Danny Alicea is the Fragomen Fellow at the City Bar Justice Center