The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced March 3 it has designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, citing the ongoing Russian invasion.
The designation, for Ukrainian nationals already residing in the U.S., was issued due to "extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ukraine" making a return to the country unsafe for Ukrainians or those who reside there, DHS announced. Designations for TSP status are granted when conditions in a country degenerate because of environmental disasters, ongoing armed conflict or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Ukraine meets two of the conditions, the report states.
"These conditions result from the full-scale Russian military invasion into Ukraine, which marks the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II," DHS stated in the announcement. "This invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis with significant numbers of individuals fleeing and damage to civilian infrastructure that has left many without electricity or water or access to food, basic supplies, shelter and emergency medical services.
“Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in the announcement. “In these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support and protection to Ukrainian nationals in the U.S.”
Eligible individuals for this TPS designation must have continuously resided in the U.S. since March 1. Individuals who attempt to travel to the U.S. after March, will not be eligible.
