Estatus de Protección Temporal Archives - Miami Immigration Lawyer - Attorney Martha L. Arias, Esq.

What Does the Category Code on Your Work Permit Mean?

Martha Arias — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:19:55 +0000

A Guide to USCIS EAD Codes

Understanding C09, C08, C11, A05, A12, C19, and other employment authorization categories in the United States.

Updated October 25, 2026

If you have a U.S. work permit, you may have noticed a combination of letters and numbers printed next to the word “Category” on your card.

It might say C09, C08, C11, A05, A12, C19, or another combination.

What does that code mean? Why does your work permit show a different category from someone else’s? And what does it tell you about your immigration situation?

The answer is important because not all work permits are issued for the same immigration reason.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) under different legal classifications. The category printed on the card identifies the basis for which employment authorization was issued.

Understanding that code can help you recognize the immigration benefit supporting your work authorization and determine which eligibility and documentation requirements may apply.

What Is an EAD Category Code?

An Employment Authorization Document, commonly called a work permit, is a document issued by USCIS as evidence that a person is authorized to work in the United States.

The current card is known as Form I-766.

Each EAD includes an eligibility category that identifies the legal basis for the authorization.

For example:

C09: Certain individuals with a pending adjustment-of-status application.
C08: Eligible applicants with pending asylum applications.
A05: Individuals who have already been granted asylum.
C11: Certain individuals granted immigration parole.
A12: Individuals granted Temporary Protected Status.

These categories are based on federal immigration law and regulations, including 8 CFR § 274a.12.

On Form I-765, an eligibility category is generally written in parentheses, such as (c)(9). On the EAD itself, it usually appears as C09.

The code does not indicate your nationality, occupation, employer, or likelihood of receiving a green card. It identifies the employment-authorization classification used by USCIS.

Where Is the Category Code on Your Work Permit?

Look at the front of your Employment Authorization Document.

The field labeled “Category” identifies the classification under which your EAD was issued.

You will also see information such as your name, identifying number, and the document’s expiration date.

The category code is different from your USCIS receipt number, which identifies a particular application or petition.

When reviewing your immigration documents, make sure you are looking at the EAD category rather than a receipt number or visa classification.

What Do the Letters A and C Mean?

Most commonly encountered EAD category codes begin with A or C. These letters refer to different regulatory groups.

A Categories: Employment Authorization Connected to an Existing Immigration Status

Many A-category classifications concern people whose underlying immigration status or designation provides employment authorization.

Examples include refugees (A03), people granted asylum (A05), and people granted TPS (A12).

Some people in these categories are authorized to work based on their immigration status, even without a currently unexpired EAD.

However, documentation requirements vary. Certain individuals must obtain an EAD as evidence of employment authorization.

C Categories: Employment Authorization That Generally Requires an Application

C categories generally identify individuals who must request employment authorization and receive approval before working under that classification.

Examples include pending asylum applicants (C08), certain adjustment-of-status applicants (C09), and certain parolees (C11).

For these individuals, having a pending immigration case does not automatically provide permission to work.

Important: The letter alone does not establish all the conditions of employment authorization. The person’s immigration classification and applicable legal requirements must also be considered.

USCIS EAD Category Codes: Quick Reference

The following tables explain common EAD categories. They are intended as a practical reference, not an exhaustive list of every classification recognized by USCIS.

Green Cards, Asylum, TPS, and Humanitarian Categories

EAD Code	Category	What it means
C09	Pending adjustment of status	Certain individuals with a pending Form I-485 application
C08	Pending asylum	Eligible individuals whose asylum applications remain pending
A05	Asylum granted	Individuals who have been granted asylum
A03	Refugee	Individuals admitted as refugees
A10	Withholding of removal	Individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal
A12	TPS granted	Individuals granted Temporary Protected Status
C19	TPS applicant	Certain individuals applying for TPS who qualify for employment authorization
C11	Immigration parole	Certain individuals granted humanitarian or significant-public-benefit parole
C14	Deferred action	Individuals granted qualifying deferred action who meet employment-authorization requirements
C33	DACA	Qualifying recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
C10	Certain removal-relief applications	Applicants for cancellation of removal, suspension of deportation, or qualifying NACARA relief
C18	Final removal order and supervision	Certain individuals with final removal orders who qualify for discretionary employment authorization
C31	Approved VAWA self-petition	Certain individuals with approved VAWA self-petitions

T Visas, U Visas, and Related Protections

EAD Code	Category	What it means
A16	T-1 nonimmigrant	Principal beneficiary granted T nonimmigrant status
C25	T visa family member	Certain qualifying derivatives granted T nonimmigrant status
C40	T visa bona fide determination	Certain applicants and eligible family members with pending, bona fide T applications
A19	U-1 nonimmigrant	Principal beneficiary granted U nonimmigrant status
A20	U visa family member	Certain qualifying derivatives granted U nonimmigrant status

Students, Nonimmigrant Spouses, and Employment-Based Categories

EAD Code	Category	What it means
C03A	Pre-completion OPT	Eligible F-1 students authorized for OPT before completing their studies
C03B	Post-completion OPT	Eligible F-1 students authorized for OPT after completing their studies
C03C	STEM OPT extension	Eligible F-1 students authorized for a STEM OPT extension
C05	J-2 dependent	Eligible spouses and minor children of J-1 exchange visitors
A17	E nonimmigrant spouse	Certain qualifying spouses of E nonimmigrants
A18	L-2 spouse	Certain qualifying spouses of L-1 nonimmigrants
C26	H-4 spouse	Certain eligible spouses of H-1B workers
C35	Employment-based beneficiary	Certain beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant petitions who qualify under compelling-circumstances provisions
C36	Dependent of C35 beneficiary	Certain qualifying spouses and children of C35 beneficiaries

Some of these classifications have additional eligibility requirements. Having the underlying immigration classification or a pending petition does not necessarily establish eligibility for the EAD listed.

C09: Work Authorization While a Green Card Application Is Pending

Category C09 is commonly associated with adjustment-of-status applicants.

For example, an eligible person applying for a marriage-based green card may submit Form I-485 to request lawful permanent residence and Form I-765 to request employment authorization while the adjustment application is pending.

If USCIS approves the employment-authorization application, the person may receive a C09 EAD.

A C09 work permit does not mean the green card application has been approved.

It identifies employment authorization based on the qualifying pending adjustment application.

Does Every Pending I-485 Applicant Use C09?

No.

The immigration provision under which the person applies for adjustment matters.

For example, a refugee applying for adjustment under INA § 209 generally uses A03, while someone granted asylum who adjusts under the same statutory section generally uses A05.

USCIS specifically distinguishes these applicants from individuals requesting C09 employment authorization based on adjustment under INA § 245.

The correct category must reflect the applicant’s actual eligibility.

C08 vs. A05: Pending Asylum and Approved Asylum

These codes represent two different stages of the asylum process.

C08 — Asylum Application Pending

C08 is associated with eligible individuals who have filed asylum applications that remain pending.

Applicants must satisfy the applicable requirements before employment authorization can be granted.

Receiving a C08 EAD does not mean asylum has been approved.

A05 — Asylum Granted

A05 identifies individuals who have already been granted asylum.

People granted asylum are generally authorized to work based on their asylee status.

An EAD provides evidence of that authorization.

The distinction: C08 generally reflects qualifying employment authorization while asylum remains pending. A05 reflects employment authorization associated with asylum already being granted.

A12 vs. C19: Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may be available to qualifying individuals from countries designated by DHS, subject to applicable requirements.

Two EAD categories frequently appear in TPS cases.

A12 — TPS Granted

This code generally identifies a person who has been granted TPS.

C19 — TPS Application

This code identifies certain TPS applicants who qualify for employment authorization under the applicable pending-application provisions.

Although the categories differ, both may appear on TPS-related employment documents.

TPS eligibility and employment authorization are affected by country-specific designations, government notices, and, in some cases, federal court decisions.

For current requirements, consult the official USCIS Temporary Protected Status information.

C11: Employment Authorization Based on Immigration Parole

C11 is associated with certain individuals granted immigration parole for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

Parole generally permits a person to be physically present in the United States for a specified period under applicable conditions.

However, parole is not the same as admission in a nonimmigrant status or approval for permanent residence.

For many parolees, employment authorization requires a separate application and USCIS approval.

An important distinction for people with immigration release documents: Form I-220A, Order of Release on Recognizance, is not itself a grant of parole under INA § 212(d)(5) and does not automatically qualify someone for a C11 EAD.

The person’s underlying immigration documents must be reviewed to determine the correct employment-authorization category.

C14 vs. C33: Deferred Action and DACA

Both categories involve deferred action, but they represent different legal circumstances.

C14 — Deferred Action

C14 generally applies to individuals granted qualifying deferred action who meet the requirements for employment authorization, including applicable economic-necessity requirements.

C33 — DACA

C33 applies to individuals granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals who qualify for employment authorization.

DACA is a specific program with separate rules and procedures. Neither C14 nor C33, by itself, establishes lawful permanent resident status.

Applicants seeking information about DACA should consult the official USCIS DACA page, including updates related to federal litigation.

C10, C18, and A10: Categories Connected to Removal Proceedings

These three codes identify substantially different immigration circumstances.

C10 may apply to certain individuals with pending applications for cancellation of removal, suspension of deportation, or qualifying NACARA relief.

C18 concerns certain individuals with final removal orders who qualify for employment authorization under applicable conditions, such as an order of supervision and additional regulatory requirements.

A10 identifies individuals who have already been granted withholding of removal or deportation.

The important distinction is that a pending application for relief, an order of supervision, and a grant of withholding of removal are not equivalent immigration outcomes.

The EAD category identifies the employment-authorization basis; it does not, by itself, resolve every issue concerning removal proceedings.

C31: Approved VAWA Self-Petitions

C31 is associated with certain individuals whose self-petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) have been approved.

VAWA provides qualifying individuals with certain immigration protections that do not require an abusive family member to petition on their behalf.

A C31 EAD reflects employment authorization associated with an approved qualifying self-petition.

Approval of a VAWA self-petition does not automatically mean the applicant has already become a lawful permanent resident.

An eligible individual may also qualify for employment authorization through another category, depending on their circumstances.

T Visa and U Visa Work Authorization Codes

T and U classifications are available to certain qualifying victims of human trafficking and specified criminal activity, respectively.

Their employment-authorization codes distinguish between different immigration benefits and stages.

For example:

A16 identifies a principal beneficiary granted T-1 status.

C25 identifies certain qualifying family members granted derivative T nonimmigrant status.

C40 identifies certain individuals with pending, bona fide T applications who qualify for employment authorization under the applicable process.

A19 identifies a principal beneficiary granted U-1 nonimmigrant status.

A20 identifies qualifying derivative U nonimmigrants.

Some pending U visa applicants may instead qualify for employment authorization through deferred action under C14, depending on the applicable procedures.

A pending T or U application does not automatically mean that employment authorization has been granted.

Student Work Authorization: C03A, C03B, and C03C

F-1 international students may qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT) related to their studies.

The EAD code identifies the type of practical training authorization.

C03A: Pre-completion OPT.

C03B: Post-completion OPT.

C03C: Qualifying STEM OPT extension.

These categories have different eligibility conditions and employment restrictions.

Not all employment permitted for F-1 students requires an EAD. Certain on-campus employment and curricular practical training follow separate authorization rules.

EAD Categories for Certain Nonimmigrant Spouses

Some spouses of temporary workers qualify for employment authorization through their dependent immigration classification.

A17: Certain qualifying spouses of E nonimmigrants.

A18: Certain qualifying spouses of L-1 nonimmigrants.

C26: Certain eligible spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants in H-4 status.

An important difference applies:

Qualifying E and L dependent spouses may be authorized to work incident to their status and may not need a separate EAD when they have acceptable documentation, such as an appropriately annotated Form I-94.

By contrast, H-4 status alone does not generally authorize employment. Eligible H-4 spouses must meet additional requirements and obtain employment authorization under C26 before working on that basis.

C35 and C36: Certain Employment-Based Immigration Beneficiaries

These categories apply in specific employment-based immigration circumstances.

C35 identifies certain principal beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant petitions who satisfy the requirements for employment authorization based on compelling circumstances.

C36 identifies certain qualifying spouses and children of those principal beneficiaries.

An approved Form I-140 petition alone does not automatically establish eligibility for these categories.

Additional regulatory requirements apply.

What Does C09P Mean?

Some EADs have been issued as combination documents providing both employment authorization and advance parole.

The designation C09P has been associated with such adjustment-based combination documents.

However, a standard C09 EAD does not automatically authorize international travel.

For a combination card, check whether the document actually includes the advance parole endorsement, such as “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole.”

Employment authorization and permission to seek parole into the United States after international travel are separate matters.

Can Your EAD Category Change?

Yes. A person’s employment-authorization category may change when their immigration circumstances change.

For example, someone with a pending asylum application may initially qualify for a C08 EAD. If asylum is later granted, the person may qualify for an A05 EAD instead.

Likewise, someone previously authorized to work under one category might later qualify for C09 employment authorization after properly filing an eligible adjustment-of-status application.

However, filing a new immigration application does not automatically change the code printed on an existing EAD.

An EAD reflects the classification under which that document was issued. A person’s current immigration situation should be assessed using the complete record, not the code alone.

Does Your EAD Code Prove Your Immigration Status?

Not necessarily.

An EAD provides evidence of employment authorization under a particular category.

It does not establish every aspect of the holder’s current immigration status.

For example:

A C08 EAD does not prove asylum was granted.
A C09 EAD does not prove a green card was approved.
A C11 EAD does not confer permanent residence.
A C33 EAD does not establish lawful immigration status.

Some individuals may also have valid employment authorization based on their status without needing an EAD.

The category code is a useful starting point, but it does not replace reviewing the person’s immigration documents and circumstances.

Does Your EAD Category Affect Renewal Costs and Processing Times?

Yes. Your EAD category can affect renewal eligibility, filing fees, required documents, and the rules governing employment authorization while a renewal application is pending.

USCIS processing times also vary by category and workload. Not every applicant qualifies for an automatic extension of employment authorization.

Before renewing, applicants should verify the current requirements using the USCIS Form I-765 page, the official fee schedule, and the USCIS processing-times tool.

A separate guide will explain work-permit renewal fees, filing timelines, processing delays, and the applicable extension rules in greater detail.

Understanding the Code on Your Work Permit

The letters and numbers printed on your Employment Authorization Document identify the basis for which USCIS issued employment authorization.

Whether your EAD shows C09, C08, A05, C11, A12, C19, or another classification, the code can help you understand how your work authorization relates to your immigration circumstances.

The most important distinction is that employment authorization and immigration status are not always the same thing.

Official Government References

Martha L. Arias, Esq.
Immigration Law Attorney

If you have questions about your work-permit category or how changes in your immigration case may affect your authorization to work, call my office in Miami. Arias Villa, PLLC assists businesses, individuals and families with U.S. immigration matters.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information about U.S. immigration and employment-authorization classifications. It does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility, documentation requirements, and the legal consequences of an immigration classification depend on individual circumstances and current law. Reading this article or contacting Arias Villa, PLLC does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

The post What Does the Category Code on Your Work Permit Mean? appeared first on Miami Immigration Lawyer - Attorney Martha L. Arias, Esq..

Understanding the Confusing Updates on Venezuelan TPS

Martha Arias — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:01:23 +0000

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining Caferro on his program Caferro News to talk about one of the most confusing immigration issues we are currently facing: the situation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans.

As I explained during the interview, the Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of the 2021 TPS for Venezuela, but a judge in California placed that decision on hold. The government immediately appealed that pause, and now the appeals court has ruled that the pause remains in place.

What does this mean? For now, Venezuelans with TPS from 2021 are still considered protected. However, this protection may only last until November 2025, when the 60-day grace period ends. After that, it is uncertain whether TPS will continue.

Many people ask me whether they should re-register for TPS now. The USCIS system does not allow electronic filing for Venezuela TPS at this time. In my practice, I am sending paper applications by mail, even though there is a risk they may be rejected, denied, or placed on hold. The reason is that filing may help protect individuals if the courts later uphold TPS, just as it happened earlier this year when certain re-registrants were granted TPS and work permits valid through 2026.

We also touched on another important issue: carrying proof of citizenship or legal status. A driver’s license is not valid proof. Carrying an actual passport is risky, but you can keep a reduced laminated copy of the ID page, obtain a passport card, or carry a digital copy of your U.S. birth certificate.

Immigration law is always changing, and this TPS situation is especially complex.

If you have questions about your case, you can call my office at 305-671-0018.

Stay informed, protect your rights, and never hesitate to seek professional advice.

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Spanish Transcript

CAFERRO:
Y bueno, y hasta ahora, pues, como te lo prometí, voy a saludar a una gran abogada colombiana que reside hace muchos años acá en los Estados Unidos. Tiene muchísima experiencia en inmigración. Martha Arias, y con ella voy a conversar en referencia a toda esta situación que se está viviendo. Martha, un saludo muy especial para ti. Buenos días. Bienvenida a Caferro News. Gracias por acompañarme.

ABOGADA MARTHA ARIAS:
Buenos días, Caferro. Un saludo muy especial para usted y toda su audiencia. Es un honor para mí estar aquí. Muchas gracias por la invitación.

CAFERRO:
Bueno, Martha, hay muchas preguntas de inmigración. No sé por dónde empezar, pero la más reciente es sobre la situación del TPS para los venezolanos, donde incluso mire que acá en el condado Miami-Dade, según el recaudador de impuestos, los venezolanos podrían renovar o solicitar licencia para estas personas. ¿Por qué no nos aclaras un poquito sobre lo que está pasando, Martha?

ABOGADA MARTHA ARIAS:
Bueno, a ver, esto del TPS es súper confuso tanto para las personas como incluso para nosotros como abogados. Lo que está pasando es lo siguiente: el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional terminó el TPS para los venezolanos, y estoy hablando del TPS del 2021.
Daba 60 días, o sea, hasta el 8 de noviembre, como período de gracia. Esa decisión fue apelada, o más bien fue demandada en California, y un juez pausó esa terminación. Eso fue en agosto. Esa terminación la pausó el juez. No fue el 5 de septiembre, sino la semana pasada. Inmediatamente, al otro día, el gobierno apeló esa pausa, es decir, pidió que se continuara la terminación del TPS. Y pues la información que usted nos da hoy, la verdad confieso, no me la he leído toda porque esto salió creo que anoche, en las pasadas horas.

Entonces, la decisión de esa sala de apelación ahora es que continúa la pausa, es decir, que se detiene la terminación del TPS. ¿Esto qué quiere decir? Que las personas que tienen TPS Venezuela —y estoy hablando del TPS del 2021— todavía podrían considerarse que están protegidas con el TPS.

Yo sé que es muy confusa esta situación, Caferro, por lo siguiente: técnicamente el TPS del 2021 terminaba el 10 de septiembre para la mayoría, algunos el 8 de septiembre. Hoy estamos a 11 de septiembre, lo que quiere decir que ese TPS técnicamente pudo haber ya terminado. Esta era prórroga que tienen de 60 días hasta noviembre, que sería noviembre de este año. Esa prórroga es la que les da este derecho junto con la decisión del juez.

¿Qué es lo que vamos a ver? Vamos a ver que la demanda o litigio sobre el TPS, si debe terminar o no, continúa. Entonces no sabemos si después de noviembre ese TPS va a continuar o no. Tenemos 60 días de gracia, el juez lo pausó. Puede ser que continúe después de noviembre.

Entonces la pregunta es: ¿qué deben hacer esas personas que tienen esa tarjeta de permiso de trabajo o ese TPS hasta septiembre? ¿Deben reregistrarse o no? Esa es una pregunta muy difícil de contestar para alguien que diga “esta es la respuesta correcta” porque fíjese: si usted se va ahora a la página web de USCIS a tratar de hacer una reregistración del TPS en forma electrónica, el sistema no le da la opción de TPS de Venezuela.
Solo le va a dar el menú de opciones de TPS que están vigentes, y no da la opción de Venezuela.

¿Qué quiere decir? Que en línea, electrónicamente, no va a poder hacer una registración.

¿Qué estoy haciendo yo? Yo personalmente estoy mandando las aplicaciones por correo, en papel, advirtiéndole a las personas que inmigración puede rechazar esa petición y devolverla; puede ser otra cosa que puede pasar, que se quede con la petición y la deje en “hold” o lo que se llama “on abeyance” hasta que salga este litigio o hasta noviembre; o puede ser que la apruebe, o puede ser que la niegue.

Como abogados, nosotros no podemos decir en este momento “esta es la solución” y “esto es lo que va a pasar” porque es una situación ambigua.

¿Por qué yo recomendaría que hagan una registración, aunque sea mandando el papel? Lo recomendaría porque no sabemos qué va a salir en las cortes, cuál va a ser el litigio final. Entonces puede pasar como pasó a principios de este año, cuando Biden anunció la terminación del TPS del 2023 y del 2021, los puso juntos y dio una extensión hasta el año entrante.

Las personas que alcanzaron a presentar la petición de la reregistración antes del 5 de febrero de este año 2025, muchas de ellas se las aprobaron. Ese TPS y ese permiso de trabajo siguen válidos, y a esas personas se los aprobaron hasta octubre de 2026. Es un pequeño grupo que quedó protegido porque actuó con esa notificación del gobierno. Se presentó la demanda en la corte y la corte protegió a ese pequeño grupo.

Entonces, siguiendo esa analogía y ese precedente, yo digo: en este momento estamos en una situación parecida. Presente la renovación y miramos a ver qué pasa. Lo peor que puede pasar, Caferro, es que pierdan la platica, pero se dan esa oportunidad.

CAFERRO:
Bueno, abogada Martha Arias, ya voy con mi siguiente invitado también para hablar sobre otro tema muy importante, pero no puedo dejarla ir sin preguntarle, porque muchas personas me han dicho: “Caferro, cuando entrevistas a una abogada de inmigración, pregúntale porque hay mucha incertidumbre con la realidad de ICE”. ¿Es recomendable incluso para los ciudadanos, incluso para los residentes, andar con el pasaporte en el bolsillo o con la residencia en el bolsillo por si alguna redada? Porque se han visto casos, no en el estado de la Florida, pero en otros estados donde piden prueba de ciudadanía. La licencia de conducir no es una prueba de ciudadanía o de residencia o de estatus.

ABOGADA MARTHA ARIAS:
No lo es, aunque las oficinas de licencia sí tienen la información de si la persona es ciudadana o residente, porque usted sabe que no les dan una licencia de conducir aquí en la Florida si no tiene un estatus.
Entonces no, la licencia no es prueba.

A mí personalmente me parece que andar con el pasaporte es peligroso. Lo que pueden hacer las personas es sacar una copia reducida y laminada de su pasaporte, por lo menos de la hoja donde está la foto y la información biográfica, y guardarla en su billetera para no andar con el pasaporte en la mano.

O sacar la tarjeta de pasaporte. Cuesta un dinero, creo que como 85 dólares, se pide en la oficina de pasaportes, y esa tarjetica es más fácil de cargar en la billetera. Entonces esa es una buena opción.

Los que nacieron en Estados Unidos, también les podría decir que carguen una copia de su certificado de nacimiento. El certificado de nacimiento de acá es muy pequeño. Aunque sea una copia digital, que la mantengan con ellos. Esa sería una recomendación.

CAFERRO:
Definitivamente. Bueno, abogada Martha Arias, el tiempo como se dice es corto. ¿Dónde la pueden ubicar, su página, su número telefónico, para más preguntas? Porque en inmigración definitivamente hay muchas preguntas.

ABOGADA MARTHA ARIAS:
Sí, efectivamente, Caferro. Mi teléfono es 305-671-0018. Tengo otro número: 305-233-3110. Mi página web es AriasVilla.com. Así es el nombre de la oficina, abogado AriasVilla.com; o simplemente ponen mi nombre “Martha Arias, abogada de inmigración” y en todas las redes sociales me van a encontrar.

CAFERRO:
Claro, ahí está en pantalla el número telefónico que acaba de dar la abogada Martha Arias. Pues Martha, muchísimas gracias, te seguiré entrevistando, comentando, porque noticias de inmigración hay todos los días. Muchas gracias por acompañarme en este debut de Caferro News acá en YouTube y vamos creciendo, gracias por apoyarme.

ABOGADA MARTHA ARIAS:
Muchísimas gracias por invitarme, Caferro. Todo el éxito del mundo para usted y su programa.

CAFERRO:
Gracias, muy amable la abogada Martha Arias, abogada de inmigración.

English Translation

CAFERRO:
And well, and up to now, as I promised you, I am going to greet a great Colombian attorney who has lived for many years here in the United States. She has a lot of experience in immigration. Martha Arias, and with her I am going to talk in reference to all this situation that is happening. Martha, a very special greeting to you. Good morning. Welcome to Caferro News. Thank you for joining me.

ATTORNEY MARTHA ARIAS:
Good morning, Caferro. A very special greeting to you and all your audience. It is an honor for me to be here. Thank you very much for the invitation.

CAFERRO:
Well, Martha, there are many immigration questions. I don’t know where to start, but the most recent one is about the situation of TPS for Venezuelans, where even, look, here in Miami-Dade County, according to the tax collector, Venezuelans could renew or apply for a driver’s license. Why don’t you clarify for us a little bit about what is happening, Martha?

ATTORNEY MARTHA ARIAS:
Well, let’s see, this TPS matter is super confusing both for people as well as even for us as attorneys. What is happening is the following: the Department of Homeland Security ended TPS for Venezuelans, and I am talking about the TPS of 2021.
It gave 60 days, that is, until November 8, as a grace period. That decision was appealed, or rather was sued in California, and a judge paused that termination. That was in August. That termination was paused by the judge. It wasn’t September 5 last week. Immediately, the next day, the government appealed that pause, meaning asking that the termination continue — in other words, of the TPS.

And well, the information that you give us today, honestly I confess, I have not read it all because this came out, I think last night, in the past hours.
So the decision of that appeals court now is that the pause continues, meaning the termination of TPS is stopped. What does this mean? This means that the people who have TPS Venezuela — and I am talking about the TPS of 2021 — those people could still be considered protected with TPS.

I know this situation is very confusing, Caferro, for the following reason: technically the TPS of 2021 ended or was ending September 10 for the majority, for some September 8. Today we are on September 11, which means that TPS technically could have already ended. This was an extension they had of 60 days until November, which would be November of this year. This extension is the one that gives them this right together with this judge’s decision.

What are we going to see? We are going to see that the lawsuit or litigation about TPS, whether it should end or not, continues. So we do not know if after November that TPS will continue or not. We have 60 days of grace; the judge paused it. It could be that it continues after November.

So the question is: what should those people who have that work permit card or that TPS until September do? Should they re-register or not? That is a very difficult question to answer for anyone to say “this is the correct answer,” because look: if you now go to the USCIS website to try to do a re-registration of TPS electronically, the system does not give you the option of TPS for Venezuela.
It will only give you the menu of TPS options that are current, and it does not give the option of Venezuela.

What does that mean? That online, electronically, you will not be able to do a registration.

What am I doing? I personally am sending the applications by mail, on paper, warning people that immigration may reject that petition and return it to us. Another thing that could happen is it may keep the petition and leave it on “hold,” or what is called “on abeyance,” until this litigation comes out or until November. Or it could approve it, or it could deny it.

As attorneys, we cannot say at this moment “this is the solution” and “this is what will happen,” because it is an ambiguous situation.

Why would I recommend that they do a registration, even if it is sending the paper? I would recommend it because we do not know what will come out in the courts, what will be the final litigation. So it could happen as it did at the beginning of this year, when Biden announced the termination of TPS of 2023 and of 2021, he put them together and gave an extension until next year.

The people who managed to file the petition for re-registration before February 5 of this year 2025, many of them were approved. That TPS and that work permit are still valid, and those people were approved until October 2026. It is a small group that was protected because they acted with that government notice. The lawsuit was filed in court and the court protected that small group.

So, following that analogy and that precedent, I say: at this moment we are in a similar fight. File the renewal and we will see what happens. The worst that can happen, Caferro, is that they lose the money, but they give themselves that opportunity.

CAFERRO:
Well, attorney Martha Arias, I am going to my next guest also to talk about another very important topic, but I cannot let you go without asking because many people have told me: “Caferro, when you interview an immigration attorney, ask her because there is a lot of uncertainty with ICE.” Is it advisable, even for citizens and even for residents, to walk around with the passport in the pocket or with the residency card in the pocket in case of a raid? Because there have been cases, not in the state of Florida, but in other states where they are asking for proof of citizenship. The driver’s license is not proof of citizenship or of residency or of status.

ATTORNEY MARTHA ARIAS:
It is not, although the driver’s license offices do have the information of whether the person is a citizen or resident, because you know that they do not give a driver’s license here in Florida if you do not have a status. So no, the license is not proof.

Personally, I think that carrying the passport is dangerous. What people can do is get a reduced copy, laminated, of their passport, at least of the page where the photo and biographical information are, and keep it in their wallet so as not to carry the passport in hand. Or get the passport card. It costs some money, I think about 85 dollars, you request it at the passport office, and that little card is easier to carry in the wallet. So that is a good option.

Those who were born in the United States, I could also tell them to carry a copy of their birth certificate. The birth certificate here is very small. Even a digital copy, keep it with them. That would be a recommendation.

CAFERRO:
Definitely. Well, attorney Martha Arias, as they say, time is short. Where can they reach you, your page, your phone number, for more questions? Because in immigration there are definitely many questions.

ATTORNEY MARTHA ARIAS:
Yes, indeed, Caferro. My phone number is 305-671-0018. I have another number: 305-233-3110.
My website is AriasVilla.com. That is the name of the office, attorney AriasVilla.com; or simply type my name “Martha Arias immigration attorney” and on all social networks you will find me.

CAFERRO:
Of course, there on screen is the phone number just given by attorney Martha Arias. Well, Martha, thank you very much, I will continue interviewing you, commenting, because immigration news comes every day. Thank you very much for joining me in this debut of Caferro News here on YouTube, and we keep growing, thank you for supporting me.

ATTORNEY MARTHA ARIAS:
Thank you very much for inviting me, Caferro. All the success in the world for you and your program.

CAFERRO:
Thank you, very kind, attorney Martha Arias, immigration attorney.

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