On March 16, 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced the designation of Afghanistan for temporary protected status (“TPS”) for eighteen months to help protect Afghan nationals in the United States from returning to unsafe conditions. Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas noted “TPS will also provide additional protections and assurances to trusted partners and vulnerable Afghans who supported the U.S. military, diplomatic, and humanitarian missions in Afghanistan over the last 20 years.” TPS designation is available to nationals of Afghanistan who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, and meet all other requirements, including undergoing security and background checks.