Hondurans and Nicaraguans Slow to Register for Extention of their TPS Status

The LA Times reports on a “deadline alert” provided by US Customs and Immigration Services.  On July 5, those individuals from Nicaragua and Honduras who obtained temporary protective status (“TPS”) allowing them to lawfully remain in the US in the wake of Hurricane Mitch will be out of status unless they apply to renew their temporary protective status by JUNE 1.  At this point, officials report that fewer that 20% of the 79,000 eligible noncitizens have applied for an extension.  They attribute the low numbers to a combination of factors including:

-the fact that some noncitizens are trying to save money on the application fee, and simply hoping that the Senate will pass a bill that will allow them to obtain legal status in some other way (which is not a good idea); and

-the fact that Spanish media has been so focused on broader immigration legislation that these outlets have been less effective than usual in getting out the word on TPS.

The LA Times story is here.

-jmc