Meng and Crowley Applaud Decision to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Citizens of Nepal in Wake of Devastating Earthquake

Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and Joe Crowley (D-NY), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, announced that the United States government is extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Nepalese nationals presently in the U.S. in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015. Following a letter led by Crowley and Meng urging Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Secretary of State John Kerry, the U.S. government initially granted TPS to Nepalese nationals through December 24, 2016. Crowley and Meng have since called on the U.S. government to extend TPS in light of the continued challenges that Nepal has faced in rebuilding its infrastructure and restoring its housing to previous levels. The announcement today will extend TPS to June 24, 2018.

“I applaud this extension of TPS,” said Rep. Meng. “The massive earthquake in 2015 devastated Nepal and the country continues to recover. Extending TPS through June 2018 will permit citizens of Nepal to remain in the United States until conditions improve in their homeland. This is the right decision and it will greatly help the Nepalese government and Nepalese citizens who are presently in Queens and other parts of the U.S. We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to Nepal and all who have been impacted by the earthquake.”

“More than a year after the massive earthquake that killed 9,000 people and injured tens of thousands more, Nepal’s path to recovery and rebuilding remains extremely challenging,” said Rep. Crowley. “Extending TPS is a much-needed step that will allow those in Queens and in communities across the country to remain here until the Nepalese government is better suited to handle their return.”

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the U.S. can provide TPS when conditions in a country prevent its citizens from returning safely such as natural disaster, civil war, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. This status may be extended when conditions in the country remain dangerous or unsettled.

In order to qualify for TPS, applicants must have been continuously present in the U.S. since June 24, 2015. To maintain TPS, people who have previously received TPS must re-register by December 27, 2016.

For more information on TPS, including guidance on the application process and additional information on eligibility, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) TPS website at www.uscis.gov/tps.