New York is home to approximately 87,000 TPS holders who contributed $2.3 billion in income and paid $348.9 million in federal taxes in 2023 alone. That’s your neighbors, your community members, your fellow New Yorkers who have built their lives here.
The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to rescind TPS status by September 8th threatens to separate families and uproot New Yorkers who have been contributing to our economy and community for over 25 years. TPS (Temporary Protected Status) recipients across our state now face uncertainty about their immigration status – and their homes.
Your home represents years of hard work and investment. We understand the challenges you face during this uncertain time. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you protect what matters most.
Let us walk you through practical legal and financial strategies to safeguard your New York home, explore adjustment of status options, and connect you with vital resources. Whatever your situation, there are concrete steps you can take right now to protect your property and secure your family’s future.
What TPS Holders Need to Know
Temporary Protected Status stands as a critical humanitarian program established by Congress in 1990 to provide temporary immigration relief to eligible foreign nationals already in the United States. This program serves individuals whose home countries face conditions that make it unsafe for them to return.
The TPS Program Explained
TPS allows foreign nationals to legally live and work in the United States for designated periods, typically 6, 12, or 18 months, with possible extensions. The Secretary of Homeland Security may grant TPS based on three key circumstances:
- Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
- Environmental disasters (like earthquakes or hurricanes)
- Other extraordinary and temporary conditions
TPS provides legal status but does not automatically lead to permanent residency or citizenship. However, TPS recipients can apply for adjustment of status if otherwise eligible through family-based or employment-based petitions.
Recent TPS Terminations
The current administration has moved to terminate TPS designations for several countries since January 2025. The Department of Homeland Security terminated Venezuela’s 2023 designation in February 2025, affecting nearly 350,000 Venezuelans. DHS announced terminations for Afghanistan and Cameroon in April 2025, impacting over 17,000 individuals.
The administration’s rationale centers on national security concerns, migration management, and the assessment that conditions in some countries no longer meet statutory requirements. TPS terminations continued with Nepal in June 2025, followed by Honduras and Nicaragua in July 2025.
New York’s Impact
New York state hosts approximately 87,000 TPS holders, making it the third-largest TPS recipient population in the country. These New Yorkers generated $2.30 billion in income and paid $348.90 million in federal taxes in 2023 alone.
New York City has the second-largest Haitian immigrant community in the country, with about 163,000 Haitian immigrants residing primarily in Flatbush. New York has the largest Honduran TPS population in the nation—approximately 8,000 people.
Once TPS protection ends, recipients revert to their previous immigration status, often becoming undocumented and vulnerable to deportation proceedings. For homeowners with TPS, this creates urgent concerns about property ownership and mortgage obligations.
TPS Cancelation Threatens NY Homeowners
TPS cancelation creates immediate financial jeopardy for New York homeowners who have built their lives here over decades. The ramifications extend beyond legal status, threatening the economic stability of families and communities throughout our state.
Losing work authorization impacts mortgage payments
When TPS ends, recipients lose their employment authorization documents. That means no legal employment. Studies show a 15% wage decrease when immigrants shift from legal to undocumented status. For TPS holders earning an average annual income of $34,918, this represents a substantial financial blow.
TPS beneficiaries return to their previous immigration status after termination, often becoming undocumented and vulnerable to deportation. Maintaining regular mortgage payments becomes nearly impossible. Consider this: roughly 100,000 TPS holders nationwide are homeowners, many having lived in the country for over 20 years.
Foreclosure risks become reality
The financial strain places approximately 30,000 TPS holders at risk of losing their homes within a year of designation changes. New York homeowners have the right to remain in their properties until a court orders eviction, yet foreclosure proceedings can still move forward.
These foreclosures create ripple effects across communities. About 30% of all TPS holders own homes, and 61,000 TPS households nationwide have mortgages. The loss of these properties would devastate local economies already facing economic challenges.
Mixed-status families face impossible choices
Property implications become complex for mixed-status families—households where some members are citizens or permanent residents while others hold TPS. Federal housing policy currently allows these families to live together with benefits calculated based only on eligible family members.
Recent policy changes indicate that mixed-status families may no longer be permitted to reside in federally subsidized housing units. This approach forces families to either separate or lose housing eligibility altogether.
When the responsible party under a housing agreement is removed, remaining residents face uncertainty about continued occupancy. Entire families risk displacement regardless of individual immigration status.
Protecting Your Investment
Legal and Financial Action Steps
TPS cancelation doesn’t mean you lose everything. There are concrete steps you can take right now to protect your New York property and secure your family’s future.
Your First Call: Immigration Attorney Consultation
Get professional legal counsel immediately. An experienced immigration attorney who specializes in TPS cases can evaluate your specific situation and identify pathways to permanent status you might not know exist.
Don’t wait. Legal timelines matter, and early consultation gives you the most options.
Adjustment of Status: Marriage and Employment Pathways
Are you married to a US citizen? You may qualify for a marriage-based green card through the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process. This could be your direct path to permanent residency.
Employment-based options also exist. Employers can sponsor I-140 immigrant petitions for TPS holders. Note that a recent Supreme Court ruling affects eligibility for those who entered without inspection.
Forms I-821 and I-485: What You Need to Know
Form I-821 maintains your TPS status during transitions. Form I-485 begins the green card process. Some categories permit concurrent filing of both forms.
All documents must be properly completed with supporting evidence. Don’t attempt this alone – work with qualified legal counsel.
Hardship Waivers: When You Need Extra Help
Hardship waivers (Form I-601) can overcome certain grounds of inadmissibility. You’ll need strong evidence showing extreme hardship to qualifying relatives if your waiver request is denied.
This process requires detailed documentation and legal expertise.
Asset Protection Through Trusts and Co-Ownership
Your home is your biggest asset. Irrevocable trusts can shield assets from creditors. Unlike revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts transfer ownership outside your control, potentially protecting property during immigration uncertainty.
Consider adding a citizen family member as co-owner. Consult with both immigration and real estate attorneys to ensure proper setup.
Planning for the Future
TPS cancelation creates uncertainty, but proactive planning protects your New York home. Whatever happens next, you can prepare now.
What to do if TPS is extended or reinstated
Courts are currently reviewing TPS termination decisions. There remains a possibility that courts could reinstate TPS protections . Should this occur, immediately re-register during the designated period—typically a 60-day window—to maintain your legal status . Remember that initial TPS applications pending as of the reinstatement date would not need refiling .
Act quickly when registration opens. That’s your opportunity to secure continued protection.
How to prepare for possible deportation while keeping your home
Recent policies allow TPS recipients facing termination to sign up for self-deportation using the CBP Home government smartphone app . Self-deportees may receive a $1,000 bonus if they return to their home countries . For property protection, consider:
- Establishing an irrevocable trust
- Arranging power of attorney for a trusted citizen family member
- Setting up automatic mortgage payments from a secure account
Your home shouldn’t be lost because of status changes. Let us help you explore these protective options.
Resources for financial aid and legal support in NY
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) offers free immigration legal help through their Immigration Legal Support Hotline (800-354-0365, Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm) . NYC provides community-based Immigration Legal Support Centers offering assistance in multiple languages .
Get the support you need. These resources exist to help New Yorkers like you.
Advocacy groups and how to get involved
Joining advocacy organizations strengthens protection efforts. Groups like Adhikaar served 5,264 community members in 2023 , Make the Road NY actively fights deportation efforts , and the National TPS Alliance advocates for over one million immigrants with TPS protection .
Together, we can make a difference. Your voice matters in this fight.
Protecting Your Investment
The cancelation of Temporary Protected Status creates unprecedented challenges for thousands of New York homeowners who have built their lives here over decades. Throughout this guide, we’ve examined the severe economic impact of TPS termination, affecting approximately 87,000 New Yorkers who have contributed billions to our economy and millions in taxes.
TPS holders facing status changes must act quickly to protect their homes. Consulting with an immigration attorney stands as your first crucial step, especially when exploring adjustment options through marriage or employment pathways. Setting up trusts, arranging powers of attorney, and establishing automatic payment systems can safeguard your property during this uncertain period.
Mixed-status families face unique complications requiring specialized legal advice. The risk of foreclosure becomes particularly acute once work authorization expires. Making financial preparations now will help mitigate potential mortgage payment issues later.
Hope still exists despite these challenges. Legal challenges to TPS terminations continue moving through courts, potentially resulting in extensions or reinstatements. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs provides free legal assistance, while community organizations like Adhikaar and Make the Road NY continue fighting for immigrant rights.
Your home represents years of hard work and investment in this country. Taking decisive action today will help protect that investment regardless of what policy changes may come. We encourage you to utilize the resources outlined in this guide and connect with support networks that can help you through this difficult transition.
Whatever your situation, there are concrete steps you can take right now to secure your New York home. The path forward may seem daunting, but with proper planning and support, you can protect what matters most to your family’s future.