This Monday, June 20 at 9 a.m., the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is hosting an information session about Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The briefing will be held at the John F. Kennedy building, in conference room 275B, in Boston.

During this session, officials will explain the details of filing for TPS in hopes that the information provided will encourage qualified individuals to apply.

“We really hope that Haitians take advantage of this extension... many people need to know that they shouldn’t be afraid to come forward. This will allow them to gain immigration status,” Denis Riordan, district director of USCIS, told the Reporter.

Last month, Secretary Janet Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced the re-designation of Haiti for TPS and extended the country's current TPS designation for 18 months - through Jan 22, 2013. The extension will be effective July 23, 2011 and allows Haitian beneficiaries to remain in the U.S. an additional 18 months - through Jan. 22, 2013.

Secretary Napolitano also made an important revision to the TPS rules: eligible Haitian nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since Jan. 12, 2011, will also be able to obtain TPS through Jan. 22, 2013. This permits eligible individuals who arrived up to one year after the earthquake in Haiti to receive the protection of TPS. Haitians who are not currently in the United States will not qualify for TPS and should not attempt to enter the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in its official statement.

USCIS officials have invited several community-based partners in a continued effort to broaden outreach within the community.

For more information, contact Paula Grenier at 617-565-4953 paula.grenier@dhs.gov or visit www.uscis.gov