Which individuals are ineligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

Individuals who are convicted felons or who entered the United States illegally are ineligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) because TPS is designed to provide safe haven for individuals from specific countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary conditions. However, one key requirement for TPS eligibility is that applicants must not have been convicted of certain crimes, which typically include felonies or any crime that would render them a threat to public safety or national security.

Additionally, those who entered the U.S. illegally are also excluded from TPS. It is essential for applicants to have entered the country lawfully and to maintain continuous physical presence in the U.S. during the designated TPS period. These eligibility criteria reinforce the intent of TPS to provide relief to individuals currently in the U.S. as a result of conditions in their home country, while also ensuring that individuals who may pose a risk to society are not granted this protective status.

Other choices, such as individuals with employment authorizations or students applying for financial aid, don't inherently disqualify someone from TPS as long as they meet the overall eligibility criteria. Similarly, citizens from countries with TPS designations are eligible for the program, provided they meet specific conditions.