Due to ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon, the Department of Homeland Security announced this week that nationals of Cameroon currently in the United States may apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) so that they can stay in the United States for the next 18 months. Cameroon nationals must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States as of April 14, 2022 in order to apply for TPS.

The TPS designation for nationals of Cameroon comes as a result of the escalation in human rights abuses by government forces and armed separatists, notably Boko Haram, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By way of background, the Department of Homeland Security grants TPS to nationals of a country who are in the United States if conditions in that person’s country temporarily prevent him or her from returning safely, or, in certain circumstances, if the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. This is typically due to: 1) ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war); 2) an environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic; or 3) other extraordinary and temporary conditions.

Nationals of Cameroon eligible for TPS are given work authorization, protected from removal, and eligible for travel permission. Individuals arriving in the U.S. after April 14, 2022, are not eligible for TPS under this designation. Information on registering for TPS is available here.

Relatedly, the Department of Homeland Security announced further instructions on TPS for Ukraine and Sudan. The registration for both countries opens on April 19, 2022. Nationals of Sudan must demonstrate their continuous residence and physical presence in the United States since March 1, 2022. Nationals of Sudan who entered the U.S. after March 1, 2022 are not eligible for TPS under this designation.

Nationals of Ukraine must demonstrate their continuous residence and physical presence in the United States since April 11, 2022.  This is an extension from the original March 1, 2022, cut-off date when TPS for Ukraine was first announced.  Nationals of Ukraine who entered the U.S. after April 11, 2022 are not eligible for TPS under this designation.

This alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this development further.