SoCal Immigration Services | Immigration Document Preparation in Southern California

Quick Answer

Garden Grove is home to one of the largest Arab and Middle Eastern communities in Orange County, with thousands of families from Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan who depend on Temporary Protected Status to live and work safely in the United States. TPS provides a critical lifeline for nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that make safe return impossible. At SoCal Immigration Services, we help Garden Grove families navigate every step of the TPS renewal process, from gathering required documentation to filing re-registration forms before strict federal deadlines. Missing a TPS re-registration window can result in loss of work authorization, deportation vulnerability, and disruption to your family's stability. Our bilingual team understands the urgency and complexity of TPS cases, and we are committed to protecting your status. Call us at (714) 421-8872 to schedule your TPS consultation today.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What Is Temporary Protected Status and Who Qualifies

Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian immigration designation granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security to nationals of countries facing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. TPS does not lead directly to permanent residency, but it provides two essential benefits: protection from deportation and authorization to work legally in the United States. To qualify for TPS, you must be a national of a designated country, have been continuously physically present in the United States since the most recent designation date, have been continuously residing in the United States since a specified date, and not have any disqualifying criminal convictions or security concerns. Each country designation has its own specific dates and requirements, making it essential to verify your eligibility with an experienced immigration professional. Garden Grove residents from Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan represent the largest groups of TPS beneficiaries in our community, and each country's designation carries unique timelines and evidence requirements that demand careful attention.

Currently Designated TPS Countries for Arab and African Families

The U.S. government maintains TPS designations for countries where conditions prevent nationals from returning safely. For Arab and African families in Garden Grove, the following designations are particularly relevant. Syria has maintained continuous TPS designation since 2012 due to the ongoing civil war and humanitarian crisis, protecting tens of thousands of Syrian nationals across the United States. Yemen received its TPS designation due to the devastating civil conflict and humanitarian emergency that has displaced millions. Somalia's designation reflects decades of instability, armed conflict, and environmental disasters affecting the Horn of Africa nation. Sudan's TPS designation covers nationals fleeing armed conflict and political instability. Each designation is subject to periodic review and extension by the Department of Homeland Security, and beneficiaries must re-register during each designated re-registration period to maintain their protected status and work authorization.

Country	Initial Designation	Current Status	Key Requirement
Syria	2012	Extended — Active	Continuous presence since designated date
Yemen	2015	Extended — Active	Continuous presence since designated date
Somalia	2012	Extended — Active	Continuous presence since designated date
Sudan	2022	Extended — Active	Continuous presence since designated date

The TPS Re-Registration Process Step by Step

Re-registration is the process by which current TPS holders renew their status during a designated registration period announced by USCIS in the Federal Register. Failing to re-register during the open window results in automatic termination of your TPS and work authorization. The re-registration period typically lasts 60 days, though USCIS sometimes extends this window. You must file your re-registration even if your current TPS and EAD have not yet expired, because re-registration is what preserves your eligibility for the next designation period. Our Garden Grove office assists hundreds of families through this process each cycle, ensuring every form is completed accurately and submitted on time.

1
Monitor Federal Register Announcements
Watch for USCIS announcements of re-registration periods for your country's TPS designation. SoCal Immigration Services tracks all announcements and notifies our clients immediately when windows open.
2
Gather Required Documentation
Collect your current TPS approval notice, valid identification, two passport-style photographs, and evidence of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States.
3
Complete Form I-821 (TPS Application)
File Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the designated re-registration period. This form confirms your continued eligibility and requests extension of your TPS.
4
File Form I-765 for Employment Authorization
Submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Document, alongside your I-821 to renew your work permit. This ensures uninterrupted work authorization while your re-registration is processed.
5
Pay Required Filing Fees or Request Fee Waiver
Submit the applicable filing fees with your application, or file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, if you qualify based on household income or financial hardship.
6
Attend Biometrics Appointment
After filing, USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment at the nearest Application Support Center. Attend this appointment to provide fingerprints, photographs, and a signature for background checks.
7
Receive Approval and New EAD
Upon approval, you will receive a new I-797 approval notice and a renewed Employment Authorization Document with an updated expiration date corresponding to the new TPS designation period.

Required Documents for TPS Renewal

Proper documentation is the foundation of a successful TPS re-registration. USCIS requires specific evidence to verify your identity, nationality, continuous residence, and continuous physical presence. Missing or incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons for TPS renewal delays and denials. Garden Grove families should begin gathering documents well before the re-registration window opens, as obtaining certain records — particularly from overseas — can take weeks or months. Our office provides a comprehensive document checklist customized to your country of origin and personal circumstances, and we review every piece of evidence before submission to ensure it meets USCIS standards.

•Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status (completed and signed)
•Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Document
•Copy of your most recent TPS approval notice (I-797)
•Two identical passport-style photographs (2x2 inches, taken within 30 days)
•Copy of valid passport or national identity document proving nationality
•Evidence of continuous residence: utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements, tax returns, school records, medical records spanning the required period
•Evidence of continuous physical presence: employment records, pay stubs, dated receipts, church or community organization records
•Copy of any previous EAD cards issued under TPS
•Filing fee or Form I-912 fee waiver request with supporting financial documentation
•Any court records if you have criminal history (even dismissed or expunged charges must be disclosed)

Filing Fees and Fee Waiver Options

Understanding the costs associated with TPS re-registration helps families plan ahead and avoid financial barriers to maintaining their protected status. The filing fee for Form I-821 during re-registration is typically $50, which is significantly lower than the initial registration fee. The I-765 Employment Authorization Document application fee is currently $410, and the biometrics fee is $85, bringing the total to approximately $545 per applicant. These fees apply to each individual TPS holder in your family, which means a family of four could face over $2,000 in filing fees during a single re-registration cycle. However, USCIS provides fee waiver options through Form I-912 for applicants who demonstrate financial hardship, receive means-tested benefits, or have household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Our Garden Grove office helps families determine fee waiver eligibility and prepares strong waiver requests that document financial need, saving families hundreds or thousands of dollars each re-registration period. We also advise clients on which fees can be waived and which cannot, ensuring complete and accurate submissions that avoid unnecessary delays.

Consequences of Missing the TPS Re-Registration Deadline

Missing a TPS re-registration deadline carries severe consequences that can upend your family's life in the United States. When you fail to re-register during the designated window, your TPS terminates at the end of the current designation period, regardless of how many years you have maintained valid status. This termination means you lose your Employment Authorization Document and can no longer work legally, your employer will be required to terminate your employment once your EAD expires, you become subject to removal proceedings and could face deportation to your home country, and any pending applications that relied on your TPS status may be affected. USCIS does accept late re-registrations in limited circumstances, but you must demonstrate good cause for the delay, and approval is not guaranteed. Examples of good cause include serious illness, natural disaster, or postal service failure — but simple forgetfulness or lack of awareness does not qualify. The stakes are too high to leave re-registration to chance. SoCal Immigration Services maintains a client notification system that alerts Garden Grove families as soon as re-registration windows open, and we file applications promptly to eliminate any risk of missing deadlines. If you have already missed a deadline, call us immediately at (714) 421-8872 to explore your options for late filing or alternative relief.

Employment Authorization During TPS: Your Work Rights

One of the most important benefits of TPS is the ability to obtain an Employment Authorization Document that allows you to work legally for any employer in the United States. Your EAD card serves as proof of identity and work authorization, and employers are required to accept it as a valid List A document for Form I-9 verification. During TPS re-registration periods, USCIS typically issues automatic extensions of existing EADs through Federal Register notices, meaning your current EAD remains valid even after its printed expiration date as long as you have timely re-registered. You should carry a copy of the Federal Register notice alongside your EAD to show employers who may not be aware of automatic extensions. If your employer questions your work authorization during an automatic extension period, SoCal Immigration Services can provide documentation and communicate directly with your employer's HR department to confirm your valid status. Garden Grove residents working in construction, healthcare, retail, food service, and other industries depend on uninterrupted work authorization to support their families, and we ensure no gap in employment eligibility occurs during the re-registration process.

Traveling with TPS: Advance Parole Requirements

TPS holders who wish to travel outside the United States must obtain advance parole before departing, or they risk abandoning their TPS status and being unable to return. To request travel authorization, you must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with USCIS and receive approval before leaving the country. Traveling without advance parole constitutes an abandonment of your TPS application and may result in denial of re-entry to the United States. The advance parole process typically takes several months, so Garden Grove families should plan international travel well in advance. Additionally, travel to your home country — the country for which you hold TPS — raises special concerns and can jeopardize your status, because returning to a country you claim is unsafe contradicts the basis of your TPS protection. There are limited exceptions for emergency travel, but these require careful documentation and legal guidance. Our office counsels TPS holders on safe travel practices, prepares advance parole applications, and advises on the risks associated with travel to specific countries. We have successfully helped families travel for medical emergencies, family reunification, and religious pilgrimages while protecting their TPS status throughout the process.

Pathways from TPS to Permanent Residency

While TPS itself does not provide a direct path to a green card, several pathways exist for TPS holders to transition to lawful permanent resident status depending on their individual circumstances. Family-based immigration is the most common pathway: if you have a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or adult child, they can petition for your green card through Form I-130. TPS holders who entered the United States with a valid visa or were inspected and admitted at a port of entry may be eligible to adjust status without leaving the country. Those who entered without inspection face additional challenges but may qualify through other forms of relief, such as cancellation of removal if they have been continuously present for 10 years and can demonstrate exceptional hardship to a qualifying relative. Employment-based immigration offers another pathway for TPS holders with specialized skills, advanced degrees, or employer sponsorship through labor certification. The Diversity Visa Lottery provides an annual opportunity for nationals of eligible countries to obtain permanent residency. Additionally, asylum remains an option for TPS holders who can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Our Garden Grove attorneys evaluate each client's unique situation to identify the strongest available pathway to permanent status and develop a comprehensive immigration strategy that accounts for changing country conditions and evolving U.S. immigration policies.

Why Garden Grove Families Choose SoCal Immigration Services

Garden Grove's diverse Arab and African communities deserve immigration representation that understands their cultural backgrounds, speaks their languages, and has deep experience with TPS cases from their home countries. SoCal Immigration Services has served the Garden Grove community for years, building a track record of successful TPS renewals, employment authorization applications, and status transitions for families from Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan. Our bilingual staff provides consultations and case management in both English and Arabic, eliminating language barriers that can lead to miscommunication and filing errors. We maintain direct relationships with USCIS and stay current on every Federal Register notice, policy memorandum, and court decision affecting TPS designations. Our office is conveniently located to serve Garden Grove residents, and we offer flexible appointment scheduling including evenings and weekends to accommodate working families. We understand that TPS is not just an immigration status — it is the foundation of your family's safety, livelihood, and future in America. Every case receives the careful attention and aggressive advocacy it deserves. Call (714) 421-8872 today to protect your TPS status and explore your long-term immigration options.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:How long does TPS re-registration take to process?

A: USCIS typically processes TPS re-registration applications within 3 to 6 months, though processing times vary depending on the country designation and current caseload. Your existing TPS and EAD are automatically extended during the processing period as long as you filed on time during the re-registration window. Call (714) 421-8872 to check current processing times for your country.

Q:Can I renew my TPS if I have a criminal record?

A: Criminal history does not automatically disqualify you from TPS renewal, but certain convictions — including any felony or two or more misdemeanors committed in the United States — will result in mandatory denial. All criminal history must be disclosed on your application regardless of outcome. Contact our office at (714) 421-8872 for a confidential review of how your record affects your TPS eligibility.

Q:What happens to my TPS if my country's designation is terminated?

A: If the Secretary of Homeland Security terminates a country's TPS designation, beneficiaries receive a transition period, typically 6 to 18 months, to arrange their affairs, seek alternative immigration relief, or prepare for departure. During this transition period, your work authorization remains valid. Termination decisions are frequently challenged in federal court, which can extend protections through injunctions.

Q:Do I need to re-register my children separately for TPS?

A: Yes, each TPS beneficiary — including children — must file an individual re-registration application. Children born in the United States to TPS holders are U.S. citizens and do not need TPS. Children born abroad who meet the eligibility requirements must file their own Form I-821 and, if applicable, Form I-765 for work authorization if they are 14 or older.

Q:Can I apply for TPS for the first time if I recently arrived in Garden Grove?

A: Initial TPS registration is only available during specifically designated initial registration periods or if you qualify for late initial registration. You must have been continuously present in the United States since the date specified in the most recent Federal Register notice for your country. Recent arrivals who do not meet the continuous presence requirement are not eligible for TPS but may qualify for asylum or other forms of protection.

Q:How much does it cost to hire SoCal Immigration Services for TPS renewal?

A: Our TPS renewal legal fees are competitive and structured to be accessible to working families in Garden Grove. We offer payment plans and flat-fee arrangements so you know exactly what to expect. The total cost includes our legal fees plus USCIS filing fees, though we help eligible families apply for fee waivers that can eliminate government filing costs entirely. Call (714) 421-8872 for a detailed fee quote based on your family's needs.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Garden Grove and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: February 9, 2026Last Updated: February 9, 2026

Protect Your TPS Status — Act Before the Deadline

Do not risk losing your Temporary Protected Status and work authorization. SoCal Immigration Services in Garden Grove provides expert TPS renewal assistance for Syrian, Yemeni, Somali, and Sudanese families. Our bilingual team handles every step of the re-registration process, from document preparation to USCIS submission. Call today to schedule your consultation.

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TPS Renewal Services in Garden Grove: Temporary Protected Status Help for Arab Families