The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced it will extend and expand temporary protected status (TPS) for nationals of Cameroon due to the ongoing armed conflict, and environmental and sociopolitical crisis in Cameroon. Cameroonians who are already benefiting from TPS (referred to as “TPS beneficiaries”) can extend their status for an additional 18 months, from December 8, 2023 until June 7, 2025. 

Current TPS beneficiaries from Cameroon who wish to extend their TPS must re-register in a timely manner during the 60-day window from October 10, 2023 to December 9, 2023, in order to maintain their TPS status and authorization to work. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend the employment authorization documents (EADs) of certain Cameroon TPS beneficiaries through December 7, 2024 in order to avoid a lapse in employment authorization. Individuals with a current, pending re-registration application are not required to file any further re-registration application at this time.

USCIS will continue to process applications pending as of October 10, 2023 under the previous designation of TPS. Individuals with pending TPS applications (Form I-821, Application Temporary Protected Status) or a related employment authorization application (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization) are not required to file either application again. Therefore, if USCIS approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 under TPS Cameroon 2023, USCIS will then grant the individual TPS through June 7, 2025, and will issue an EAD also valid through the same date.

Under the expansion of the program (referred to as “redesignation”), Cameroonian nationals or individuals with no nationality who last lived in Cameroon, who have been living in the United States since October 5, 2023 and have been continuously physically present in the United States from December 8, 2023 will be able to apply for TPS. Redesignation impacts potential first-time applicants and others who are not beneficiaries of TPS. For first-time applicants, the registration period will run from October 10, 2023, through June 7, 2025. 

First-time applicants for TPS under the expansion of TPS for Cameroon must submit Form I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status during the initial registration period that runs from October 10, 2023 through June 7, 2025. Applicants may file Form I-821 online. First-time applicants can also apply for employment authorization by submitting Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization along with their Form I-821, or separately at a later date. Applicants may also file Form I-765 online. Furthermore, individuals can also apply for travel authorization during this window. First-time applicants under the expansion will receive TPS and EADs valid through June 7, 2025.

DHS approximates that extending TPS will impact about 2,090 Cameroonian nationals currently benefiting from TPS in the United States. Additionally, the expansion of the program could help an estimated 7,900 Cameroonian nationals who have arrived in the United States since TPS for Cameroon was first announced on June 7, 2022.

By way of background, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program that the United States offers to nationals of certain countries where conditions prevent their return, such as armed conflict or natural disasters. TPS allows nationals of these countries to live and work in the United States temporarily until their home country stabilizes and they are able to return safely. TPS ensures protection from removal for an individual when their home country is in crisis. More information about TPS can be found here.

We will continue to monitor the various humanitarian programs to support displaced Cameroonian nationals and keep you updated.

The alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact us if you would like to discuss these developments further.