Helping Ukrainians Apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Our Chicago-based immigration law firm is fully prepared to help Ukrainians currently in the United States apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to remain in the U.S. legally.

Our founding attorney, Julia Sverdloff, is from Ukraine. Her parents were once refugees themselves, forced to leave Odessa. We are honored to use our skills and knowledge of U.S. immigration policy to help others. Keep reading to learn more about TPS and our dedication to helping the people of Ukraine.

What is TPS Designation?

When conditions inside a foreign country make it difficult or impossible for people from that country to safely return home, the Secretary of Homeland Security may designate the country for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. This status may be granted based on armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Once the designation is in place, those who apply and qualify for TPS are granted legal immigration status for a specific period of time. This means that TPS beneficiaries:

• Are not eligible for removal
• May be granted employment authorization to work in the U.S.
• May request travel authorization

On March 3, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Ukraine had been designated for TPS for 18 months. The designation goes into effect once details for eligibility are released on the Federal Register.

It’s important to note that only Ukrainians already present in the United States as of March 1, 2022, will be eligible for TPS status under this designation. Those who arrive after March 1 will need to apply for a different immigration benefit, such as asylum or adjustment of status.

Eligibility for Temporary Protected Status

Additional details on TPS status for Ukrainians will be available in the Federal Register notice. However, there are some TPS requirements that must be met by all applicants in order to be eligible, including:

• You must be a national of a TPS-designated country or a person without nationality who last resided in a TPS-designated country.
• You must file during an open registration period or meet the criteria for late filing.
• You must be continuously physically present in the U.S. since the designation date. (For Ukraine, this will be March 1, 2022.)

You may not be able to qualify for TPS if you do not meet the conditions above, or if you have been convicted of certain crimes. An experienced immigration attorney can help you determine if you meet the requirements.

Russian Invasion Creates Millions of Ukrainian Refugees

Relations between Russia and Ukraine have been tense for decades, but Russia quickly escalated the dispute on February 24, 2022, when Russian military forces crossed the border into Ukraine and began firing on both military and civilian targets. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas called the action a “premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine.” As the fighting continues, there have been numerous reports of civilians being killed, public services being destroyed, and families forced to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Over 2 million Ukrainian people fled their country in just the first 12 days of the conflict, creating the worst refugee crisis Europe has experienced since World War II. For now, most refugees are entering neighboring countries such as Poland, but as the conflict continues, those refugees will need more permanent homes.

Our Passion for Helping Ukraine is Personal

At Sverdloff Law Group, helping immigrants is something our attorneys and staff are extremely passionate about because of our own immigration experiences. We understand first-hand how painful it can be when families are forced to separate, and we work hard to keep them together. If you or someone you know needs assistance remaining in the U.S. legally, please contact our firm to learn how we can help.