TPS in Houston — Temporary Protected Status
One month the news says your country's TPS is over; the next, a court has put it on hold. The headlines are confusing and they change every month. Our job is to verify what is true TODAY for your country and your case — and to protect your work permit and your peace of mind.
The headline says one thing, the law says another: let's verify your case
TPS (Temporary Protected Status) is, in plain language, a protection the United States government offers to people from certain countries hit by war, disaster, or other crises. While your country's designation remains in effect and you keep yours current, TPS protects you from deportation and lets you obtain a work permit to support your family. It is a core part of our immigration practice in Houston.
Houston is home to enormous Honduran, Salvadoran, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan communities — from the East End to Gulfton, from Magnolia Park to Pasadena. That is why every TPS announcement sends thousands of Houston families to bed with the same question: does this apply to me? The honest answer is that TPS designations, extensions, and terminations change constantly with court battles and with each administration. What was true last month may not be true today, and vice versa.
That is also why we will not tell you on this page which countries have TPS or until when: any date we printed here could be stale by tomorrow. What we do instead is sit down with you, check your country's current official status that same day, and explain your options clearly — including paths like asylum or family petitions, which some TPS holders also have available.
Verify my TPS situation
5 steps to protect your TPS
01. Current-status verification
We check what the government — and the courts — say TODAY about your country's designation: in effect, extended, terminated, or blocked by litigation. No rumors, no WhatsApp chain messages.
02. Eligibility review
We analyze whether you meet the general requirements: nationality of a designated country, continuous presence and residence since the dates the government sets, and your complete history.
03. Evidence of presence
We help you gather proof that you have lived here: rent receipts, medical and school records, pay stubs. A well-documented application avoids delays and scares.
04. Application or re-registration
We prepare your initial application or your re-registration without errors. Re-registering on time is what keeps your protection and your work permit alive — don't leave it for the last minute.
05. Long-term strategy
TPS by itself does not become residency, but many TPS holders have other possible paths: asylum, family petitions, and more. We design a plan for your future, not just for this year.
Questions about TPS
A word of caution: whenever a TPS designation ends or changes, "notarios" and consultants appear, charging for filings that do not exist or filling out forms with mistakes that can cost you your status. If your country's designation ever ends, do not sign anything out of panic: many people have other options — asylum, family petitions, or other forms of relief — that are worth evaluating with a real attorney before making any decision. And if your case ends up at the Houston Immigration Court at 1919 Smith St., you are not alone: we walk with you through every step.
I heard on the news that my country's TPS ended. Is it true?
It may be true, it may be partially true, or the decision may already be on hold because of a lawsuit. TPS designations change constantly with litigation and with each administration, and a headline from a month ago can be outdated today. Before you make any decision — and before you stop working or pay anyone out of fear — we verify the current official status of your country and what it actually means for your specific case.
Does TPS give me a work permit?
Yes. While your TPS is valid, you can apply for a work permit (EAD) that allows you to work legally in the United States. Keeping your re-registration current is what keeps that permit from being left in limbo, so if your card is approaching expiration, it is worth reviewing your situation early.
Can TPS become a green card?
Not directly: TPS by itself does not turn into permanent residency. However, some TPS holders have other possible paths — such as a family petition or an asylum claim — depending on their history and how they entered the country. It is worth evaluating your full case with an attorney before assuming you have no options.
I missed my re-registration. Did I lose everything?
Not necessarily. In some cases the government may accept a late re-registration when there is good cause for the delay. But time works against you: the longer you wait, the harder the delay becomes to explain. If you missed your re-registration window, seek legal advice as soon as possible to review your options.
Can I travel outside the country with TPS?
Only with special travel permission approved before you leave, and the rules around that permission change frequently. Leaving the country without the right authorization can put your status and any pending case at risk. Before planning any trip, verify your specific situation with an attorney.