H.R. 7356 – TPS Reform Act of 2022

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 10:31 AM UTC

The TPS Reform Act of 2022 changes how the United States designates foreign countries for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). It adds specific criteria, limits the initial designation to 18 months, allows extensions of up to 12 months, and shifts decision‑making authority to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The changes affect nationals of designated countries and the agencies that process TPS applications.

Key Provisions

Requires a formal finding that a foreign state faces armed conflict, a serious natural disaster, or other extraordinary temporary conditions, and that the state has requested TPS designation
Mandates that any TPS designation include an estimate of eligible nationals and limits the initial designation period to no more than 18 months
Allows early termination of TPS if a new act finds the conditions no longer exist, and sets automatic termination if not extended
Permits extensions of an existing designation for up to 12 months, but only if the original conditions continue to be met
Transfers the authority to designate or terminate TPS from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security
Adds that an alien who lacks lawful immigration status can be eligible for TPS

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 1, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

April 1, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 1, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7356

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 1, 2022

Mr. Brooks (for himself, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Gosar, and Mr. Perry) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify the procedure to designate a foreign state, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the TPS Reform Act of 2022.

2.

Temporary Protected Status

(a)

Power To designate a foreign state

Section 244(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)) is amended—

(1)

by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting the following:

(1)

Initial designation

For purposes of this section, a foreign state shall be designated upon the enactment of an Act that satisfies the following requirements:

(A)

The Act shall contain a finding—

(i)

that there is an ongoing armed conflict within the state and, due to such conflict, requiring the return of aliens who are nationals of that state (or to the part of the state) would pose a serious threat to their personal safety;

(ii)

that—

(I)

there has been an earthquake, flood, drought, epidemic, or other immediately life-threatening environmental disaster in the state resulting in a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in the area affected;

(II)

the foreign state is unable, temporarily, to handle adequately the return to the state of aliens who are nationals of the state; and

(III)

the foreign state officially has requested designation under this subparagraph; or

(iii)

that there exist extraordinary and temporary conditions in the foreign state that prevent aliens who are nationals of the state from returning to the state in safety and that permitting the aliens to remain temporarily in the United States is not contrary to the national interest of the United States.

(B)

The Act shall include—

(i)

an estimate of the number of nationals of the foreign state who are (or within the effective period of the designation are likely to become) eligible for temporary protected status under this section;

(ii)

such nationals’ immigration status in the United States; and

(iii)

a time period for the effectiveness of the designation that is not greater than 18 months.

(2)

Termination

(A)

Timely termination

If an initial designation of a foreign state is not extended under paragraph (3), the initial designation shall terminate at the end of the time period described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii).

(B)

Early termination

For purposes of this section, the designation of a foreign state shall be terminated upon the enactment of an Act that contains a finding that the foreign state (or part of such foreign state) no longer meets the conditions for designation under paragraph (1)(A).

(3)

Extension

For purposes of this section, the time period for the effectiveness of the designation of a foreign state shall be extended upon the enactment of an Act that includes—

(A)

a finding that the conditions for designation under paragraph (1)(A) continue to be met; and

(B)

a time period for the effectiveness of the extension that is not greater than 12 months.

; and

(2)

in paragraph (5)(A), by striking of the Attorney General and inserting made in any Act.

(b)

Aliens lacking lawful immigration status

Section 244(c)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B)) is amended—

(1)

in clause (i), by striking , or at the end and inserting a semicolon;

(2)

in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(iii)

the alien lacks a lawful immigration status.

.

(c)

Conforming amendments

Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a et seq.) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (d)(3), by striking If the Attorney General terminates the designation of a foreign state (or part of such foreign state) under subsection (b)(3)(B) and inserting If the designation of a foreign state (or part of such foreign state) is terminated under section 244(b)(2); and

(2)

in subsection (i)(1)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking the comma at the end and adding ; and;

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by striking , and at the end and inserting a period; and

(C)

by striking subparagraph (C).

(d)

Technical corrections

Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a), as amended by subsections (a) and (b) of this Act, is further amended by striking Attorney General each place it appears and inserting Secretary of Homeland Security.