Temporary Protected Status Lawyer Serving Raleigh and Wake County
TPS lets you stay and work legally in the U.S. when conditions in your home country make return unsafe. A temporary protected status lawyer at Guirguis Law protects your filing and status.
What a Temporary Protected Status Lawyer Does for Immigrants in Wake County
Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security to nationals of countries facing armed conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary conditions that make safe return impossible. It allows eligible individuals to remain in the United States lawfully and obtain work authorization while those conditions persist. Filing correctly the first time and tracking renewal deadlines can prevent a lapse in your status.
A TPS attorney at Guirguis Law works with people from Wake, Durham, and Johnston counties who need to file an initial TPS application, re-register during an extension period, or respond to a change in their country's designation. We also help clients understand how TPS may connect to other immigration goals, including a later adjustment of status case handled by our adjustment of status lawyer.
This service is built for anyone who is a national of a country currently designated for TPS, or a person without nationality who last habitually resided there. If you are unsure whether your country qualifies or your filing window is still open, our office can review your situation and explain your options in plain terms.
Eligibility Requirements and Key Considerations for TPS Applicants
Meeting TPS eligibility requires careful attention to dates, continuous residence, and documentation. Missing a filing deadline or misunderstanding the continuous physical presence requirement can delay or jeopardize an otherwise strong case.
- Be a national of a country currently designated for TPS, or a stateless person who last habitually resided there
- File during an open initial registration period or a valid re-registration window
- Show continuous physical presence in the United States since your country's most recent designation date
- Show continuous residence in the United States since the date specified for your country
- Provide evidence of identity, nationality, and any criminal history for background screening
- Understand how a pending or approved TPS case may affect other filings, including work permits or future immigration petitions
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
- NC Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense, 2012
- Serving Wake, Durham and Johnston counties since 2008
Our Process for Temporary Protected Status Applications
Every TPS case starts with a clear picture of your history in the United States and your country's current designation status. From there, our team manages the filing so nothing falls through the cracks.
Case Review and Eligibility Check
We review your immigration history, travel records, and country of origin to confirm you meet the current TPS designation requirements and filing window.
Document Preparation
Our team gathers proof of identity, nationality, continuous residence, and physical presence, then prepares the required USCIS forms and supporting evidence.
Filing and Follow-Up
We file your TPS application and work authorization request, track receipt notices, and respond to any requests for additional evidence from USCIS.
Renewal and Long-Term Planning
We monitor re-registration periods and designation extensions for your country, and we discuss whether other immigration options, such as family-based visas or adjustment of status, may become available to you.
Attorneys Who Handle Temporary Protected Status Cases
Our immigration team stays current on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services list of countries designated for TPS and the deadlines tied to each one. Both of our immigration attorneys handle TPS filings as part of their broader immigration legal services.
Nardine Mary Guirguis
Nardine Mary Guirguis leads immigration matters at the firm, including TPS applications, adjustment of status, and family-based visa petitions for clients across North Carolina.
Biez Almeida Neto
Biez Almeida Neto works closely with TPS applicants and their families, guiding clients through documentation requirements and USCIS filing deadlines from start to finish.
Why Wake, Durham and Johnston County Families Choose Guirguis Law
Our office sits on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, a short walk from the Wake County courthouse, and we regularly meet with TPS clients from Durham's Latino and Central American communities as well as families in Smithfield and the broader Johnston County area. We understand the immigrant communities we serve because many of our attorneys and staff come from similar backgrounds.
Guirguis Law is a Christian, faith-based law firm that treats every client with equal respect, whether their case involves temporary protected status, asylum, or a family matter. Beyond immigration, our firm also includes a divorce lawyer for family law matters, a criminal defense lawyer for criminal charges, a personal injury lawyer for injury claims, and an estate planning lawyer for wills and trusts, so your family has one firm to turn to as your needs change.
We offer consultations in English, Spanish, and Arabic, which matters when explaining a process as detail-driven as TPS. Clients from across the Triangle choose us because we explain each deadline clearly and stay ahead of designation changes that could affect their status.
Temporary Protected Status FAQs
Here are answers to questions we hear often from Wake, Durham, and Johnston County clients considering a TPS filing.
Do I need a TPS attorney if my country is newly designated?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney, but a TPS attorney can confirm you meet every eligibility requirement before you file, which reduces the risk of a denial or delay tied to missing evidence or an incorrect filing date.
Can a temporary protected status lawyer help if I already missed a registration deadline?
In some cases, late initial filing is still possible if you can show you qualified for late registration during an extension of your country's TPS designation. Our team reviews your specific timeline to determine whether this exception applies to you.
Does TPS lead to a green card or citizenship attorney process?
TPS itself does not directly grant permanent residency, but some TPS holders later qualify for adjustment of status through a family or employment petition. We evaluate your full immigration history to see whether a path toward a green card or eventual naturalization is available.
What happens if my TPS status is denied or my country's designation ends?
If your application is denied or your country's TPS designation is terminated, you may need to consult a deportation defense lawyer or removal proceedings attorney about your options. Our firm represents clients in immigration court and works to identify any other relief that may apply before that becomes necessary.
Protect Your Status Before Your Filing Window Closes
TPS registration and re-registration periods do not stay open indefinitely, and a missed deadline can put your legal status at risk. Talk to our immigration attorney team today so we can confirm your eligibility and get your application filed on time.
