In a recent press release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) along with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for citizens of Nicaragua and Honduras by twelve months.  The extension is the result of damage incurred by both Nicaragua and Honduras during Hurricane Mitch.  The U.S. has determined the infrastructure of these two countries too weak to be able to handle the return of their nationals.

The new protection will last until July of 2007 if further extensions are not made before that deadline.  In tandem with this move, DHS has also extended Employment Authorization Documents (EAD’s) for six months to account for the lengthened stay of individuals granted with longer TPS status.

Nationals of Honduras and Nicaragua who are currently protected under TPS will have to re-register for the extension.  Those seeking to take advantage of the temporary reprieve will have to register within a sixty day period that began on April 1, 2006 .  The process for those individuals who re-apply will be similar to the original procedure.  An individual must fill out an I-821 form—the Application for Temporary Protected Status.  Along with this, applicants can file an I-765 form in order to receive their EAD’s.  There are filing charges accompany the application process, yet these can be waived if they meet regulations. 

An extended TPS recipient must also pay a seventy dollar biometrics fee which cannot be waived.  All individuals over thirteen must pay this or their applications will be ignored.  Any individual under thirteen who is also applying for an EAD will be required to pay the seventy dollar biometrics fee as well.