TPS is an acronym for the Temporary Protected Status program. Under this program, which Congress created, the United States can designate the nationals of certain countries as eligible to receive TPS status.
The United States may designate countries in active armed conflict for the TPS program, and it may also designate countries reeling from a serious natural disaster.
Once a person has TPS status, they may live in the United States and work here legally.
TPS status only lasts for so long as a person follows all requirements and for so long as the United States, acting through the president and the secretary of Homeland Security, maintain the program for a given country.
On this note, the current administration is actively reviewing the TPS program. As of February 20, it has terminated the program for Venezuela and has curbed the program in place for Haiti. The Haiti TPS program is now scheduled to expire this August.
If the TPS program gets revoked for a country or expires, people from that country will need to adjust their immigration status. Otherwise, they are no longer eligible to work legally in the United States, and they are also at risk for deportation.
The DED program allows presidents to provide humanitarian relief
In an Executive Order, the President will designate a country and explain the conditions under which someone from that country can claim the benefits of DED. If the president’s orders allow it, someone on DED may receive permission to work in the United States.
Unlike TPS, DED does not confer an immigration status on a participant. It simply protects the person from deportation, usually for humanitarian reasons, for as long as the program lasts and the person qualifies for it.
Especially since it is based on the President’s authority, DED is subject to change and may change or even end quickly, only to be re-started later when circumstances change.
Again, if DED gets changed or abolished, a person who was benefitting from it either will need to obtain status or face deportation. A New Jersey resident benefitting from either TPS or DED and who for whatever reason is interested in adjusting their status should evaluate their legal options.
