Temporary protected status

Temporary protected status (TPS) is given by the United States government to eligible nationals of designated countries, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, who are present in the United States. In general, the Secretary of Homeland Security may grant temporary protected status to people already present in the United States who are nationals of a country experiencing ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or any temporary or extraordinary conditions that would prevent the foreign national from returning safely. Temporary protected status allows beneficiaries to live and, in some cases, work in the United States for a limited amount of time. In March 2025, approximately 1,297,635 people had TPS.