Nepalese in US to Be Granted Temporary Residency Due to Earthquake

The US government will grant Nepalese citizens currently residing in the United States temporary work authorization and the right to remain in the country for 18 months in response to a series of devastating earthquakes that hit the Himalayan country in April and May, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said in a statement on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Nepalese citizens residing in the United States will now be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from June 24, 2015 to the end of December 2016.

“US Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced his decision to designate Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months based on the conditions resulting from the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal.”

Eligible applicants will be authorized to work in the United States after receiving documentation and undergoing a security check.

On April 25, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal followed by a series of strong aftershocks, including a 7.3 magnitude earthquake on May 12. More than 8,000 people were killed in the earthquakes and twice as many were injured.

The earthquakes left nearly 500,000 families homeless and several million in need of medical and food assistance, according to the UN’s humanitarian assistance appeal.