Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in Legal Clinics and Pro Bono Programs

This course provides a basic overview of the longstanding humanitarian-based immigration program known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), including the benefits of applying for TPS, general eligibility, and the application process. In particular, the presenters showcase the ways that TPS applications are perfectly suited for legal clinics and partnerships with large law firms and corporate in-house counsel.  

Temporary Protected Status can be issued by the United States to foreign nationals already present in the U.S. who hail from a country that was stricken by natural disaster, ongoing armed conflict, or other similar emergencies. At the tail end of 2014, because of an Ebola outbreak, three West African countries were designated for TPS by the United States. Two additional countries were designated in 2015—Nepal, due to a monstrous earthquake, and Yemen, due to civil war. TPS applications must be submitted within a short time frame after a country is designated, so attorneys must be prepared with a fast, organized response to efficiently assist applicants.   

Against this backdrop, attorneys Danny Alicea, Shintaro Araki, and Jerri Shick provide historical background about Temporary Protected Status. They also explain group application assistance models and the ways that large firms and corporate counsels can incorporate TPS application assistance clinics into their pro bono programs. The pro bono departments of major law firms have for a long time provided extensive assistance with immigration matters for indigent clients, including with TPS applications. Presenters describe ways major law firms have assisted TPS applicants in partnership with community-based organizations. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Appreciate the background about Temporary Protected Status
2. Understand the nuts and bolts of TPS applications and why they are excellent for the legal clinic setting
3. Discuss the ways law firms and corporate counsels can include TPS application assistance in their pro bono programs
4. Identify specific challenges in the TPS context and how attorneys, large law firms, and corporate counsels can prepare for them