Resource: Ending Obstacles for Temporary Protected Status Recipients Seeking Legal Permanent Residence

Today, the American Immigration Council, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and several Temporary Protected Status holders filed a class action lawsuit against officials at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a federal district court in New York, challenging the government’s unlawful practice of depriving certain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders with close family relationships or employment in the United States from becoming lawful permanent residents. In particular, USCIS is denying the adjustment applications of TPS holders who, in accord with the Immigration and Nationality Act, have been “inspected and admitted” for purposes of adjustment of status because, prior to their receipt of TPS, they entered the United States without inspection.