Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

It is temporary status that the U.S. government occasionally gives to nationals of particular countries which have undergone extraordinary physical (such as an earthquake) or other political conditions (such as civil war.) The status is valid for one year and allows the foreign national to obtain employment authorization. The U.S. determines on an annual basis whether or not to renew the status for nationals of the country. It does not generally lead to permanent status in the U.S.