Staff writer
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary status granted by the United States 🇺🇸 government to eligible nationals of designated countries that live within its jurisdiction.
This TPS is for 18 months and has been in effect since April 14th 2022 till October 2023. Cameroonian 🇨🇲 nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since April 14, 2022 are eligible to apply for TPS.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO CAMEROONIAN NATIONALS RESIDING IN THE US?
(i) They can apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD). TPS applicants will undergo security and background checks.
(ii) Protection against deportation.
(iii) One can apply for permission to travel abroad.
In the past TPS has been renewed in instances where the conditions that necessitated it in the first place, persist.
One or more of the three conditions need to be met for TPS to be considered –
• Ongoing armed conflict
• Environmental disaster
• Extraordinary and temporary conditions
The armed conflict in Cameroon between the majority ‘Francophone’ (French speaking) backed government of President Paul Biya and the minority ‘Anglophone’ (English speaking) separatists who want to form Ambazonia nation has continued to create unstable conditions in the country.
The rising terrorist group Boko Haram has also entered into the calculus as it increasingly sustains attacks in Cameroon and neighboring West African countries such as Nigea and Nigeria.
United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas stated that “Cameroonian nationals currently residing in the U.S. who cannot safely return due to the extreme violence perpetrated by government forces and armed separatists, and a rise in attacks led by Boko Haram, will be able to remain and work in the United States until conditions in their home country improve.”
Alejandro N. Mayorkas
For further information, follow the link to US DHS website.
NB: Information contained on this report is simply meant for information purposes and is not to be construed as legal advice.
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