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Nepalese citizens urged to apply for ‘protected status’
‘TPS is best for those who are out of status’
A “temporary protected status” can give members of the Nepalese community some breathing room, particularly those working for embattled Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino.
Attorney Maya B. Kara, of the law firm Mailman and Kara, said the ”temporary protected status” is being made available for residents of countries that have been affected by ecological disasters, such as Nepal and Haiti.
“What the temporary status does is protect Nepalese citizens from being ‘removed’ from the CNMI,” Kara said, adding that the status will also allow Nepalese citizens to apply for work authorization.
She said Nepalese citizens have been allowed to apply for protected status since June. The application period is good for six months, while the temporary protected status is good for 18 months.
Kara said Nepalese citizens should “take advantage of it, particularly those who are out of status.”
She said on Tinian alone, there more than 100 Nepalese who might be in limbo.
Kara said this is also an opportunity for undocumented citizens of Nepal in the CNMI—if there are any—to apply for status.
Kara said once an application is approved, a Nepalese citizen can then apply for a CW or any other status. “The temporary protected status gives them some breathing room,” Kara said.
She added that the CW status “is still better” than the “temporary protected status.”
Kara’s law firm is inviting members of the Nepalese community to attend a presentation on the temporary protected status for Nepalese citizens today, from 6pm to 8pm, at the American Memorial Park Auditorium. There is no charge for this presentation.
Kara said this a public service of the law firm and that similar presentations have been conducted in the past.
