

Monday, December 16, 2013

What to Prepare if TPS is Granted to the Philippines

The specific documents needed will depend on your personal situation and
will be explained if USCIS announces TPS for the Philippines in the Federal

But taking into account our more than twenty years of extensive experience
in preparing and litigating TPS claims, the following items are commonly

-Evidence of citizenship (Philippine passport or birth certificate).
-Evidence of identity  (passport or drivers license)
-Status Evidence (if in lawful status).
-Certified misdemeanor criminal records (if needed)
-Presence/Residence evidence since [unknown date] in November (possible
documents include passport stamps, pay stubs, rent receipts, utility bills,
school records, letters, hospital or medical records, etc.)

As with each case,  which exact documents you submit depends on your own
personal circumstances.

View Qualifications of Attorney James W. Austin

Go to the Most Recent Philippines-US Immigration Topics

Go To Austin & Ferguson, LLC Home Page

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Philippine TPS Will Raise Special Immigration Issues

I have written on TPS issues in the past, and have instructed attorneys and
students on this topic for many years.  The question I am receiving from
other Immigration Law attorneys now is "How will TPS interact with H-1B

The designation of Temporary Protected Status for the Philippines would
create an unusual problem.  Many thousands of the Filipinos in the U.S. are
already in a temporary legal status, most commonly  B-1, B-2, H-1B, H-1C,
H-4, J-1, J-2, F-1 or F-2 status.  This was not the case with the prior
countries designated for TPS.  While it is easy to obtain TPS status, what
must be planned is what will happens when TPS ends?  What is the end game if
you want to return to your previous nonimmigrant status?

It is possible to be granted TPS and still maintain your old status, but you
must continue to follow the rules of the old status.  For example, if you
are an H-4 (dependent spouse or child of an H-1B worker), just being granted
TPS does not end nor violate your H-4 status, as long as you continue to
follow the rules for H4s and extend your H4 status before it expires.
However, H-4s are not allowed to be employed.  If you ask for work
authorization with your TPS, and then are employed, you violate your H-4
status.  You are no longer an H-4, just a person with TPS.

The issue then is how to return to your old nonimmigrant status when TPS
ends?  For a change of status in the United States, TPS is considered a
valid nonimmigrant status, making it possible in some cases to switch back
from TPS to your prior nonimmigrant status.

Some people may choose to continue with the requirements of their old
status, depending on their own circumstances.  For example, if you are an
H1B worker in a job that requires frequent travel outside of the US, you may
find travel as an H1B to me much easier than having to repeatedly obtain
advance permission to travel under TPS.

These are the type of issues that must be discussed and strongly considered
before a person in valid status obtains a TPS work card and violates their
current status.

View Qualifications of Attorney James W. Austin

Go to the Most Recent Philippines-US Immigration Topics 

Go To Austin & Ferguson, LLC Home Page

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Benefits of TPS for the Philippines

TPS is a powerful benefit.  To those that apply and are eligible, they are
protected from being deported from the United States, can obtain unlimited
employment authorization and can receive permission to leave and return to
the U.S. for urgent or emergency travel.

For Filipinos not in a legal status, this is an amazing law.  TPS can fill
the time gap while waiting for a family petition to become available, and
even allow for travel to and back from the Philippines in some cases!  For
those currently in some other nonimmigrant status, TPS may be used for
additional job opportunities or to bridge gaps in status while waiting for
your employment-based immigrant priority date to be current.  BUT CAUTION-
You should first understand the risks of TPS benefits before making any
decisions regarding TPS applications!

View Qualifications of Attorney James W. Austin

Go to the Most Recent Philippines-US Immigration Topics 

Go To Austin & Ferguson, LLC Home Page