New Jersey residents who follow international affairs may be aware that an armed conflict has broken out in the African country Cameroon. This is why the Department of Homeland Security granted Cameroon nationals in the United States Temporary Protected Status in June 2022. On Oct. 6, the DHS extended the protection for 18 months. Cameroon nationals will now be able to live and work in the United States until June 7, 2025. The DHS grants TPS to foreign nationals when returning to their home countries would be unsafe because of a war, natural disaster or other dangerous situation.
TPS
Granting TPS allows foreign nationals to live and work in the United States until conditions in their home countries improve to the point where it is safe for them to return, but it does not provide them with a path to permanent residence or citizenship. Cameroon nationals were granted TPS because government forces and paramilitary groups in the African country have committed human rights abuses that have caused mass displacement and food insecurity.
Protection against removal
The TPS extension will allow approximately 7,900 Cameroon nationals currently living in the United States to apply for protection. About 2,100 Cameroon nationals are already protected by the DOH’s original TPS designation, but they must submit immigration paperwork to reregister if they wish to remain protected. Cameroon nationals who arrived in the United States after Oct. 5 are not eligible for protection.
Humanitarian relief
TPS is a form of humanitarian relief that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the United States temporarily when returning to their home countries would be dangerous. Cameroon became a TPS designated country in 2022 because of an ongoing armed conflict and reports of human rights abuses.