US allows Nepalese citizens to stay in country temporarily

The United States today announced to grant temporary protection status to the Nepali citizens and allow them to stay in the country while Nepal recovers from devastating earthquake and aftershocks.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said that the decision to designate Nepal for temporary protection status (TPS) for 18 months was taken based on the conditions resulting from the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, and the subsequent aftershocks.
Temporary protected status allows a group of foreigners to remain in the US after their visas expire.
Eligible nationals of Nepal residing in the US can now apply for TPS and receive work permits.

Those who apply over the next six months will be covered under the programme until December 24, 2016.
The move was welcomed by several US lawmakers.

"As the people of Nepal continue to mourn the lives lost and struggle to recover from this terrible tragedy, I am proud our nation will continue its tradition of humanitarian support by granting TPS to Nepalis currently in our country," said Congressman Joe Crowley.
"This is a critical step that will allow those in Queens and in communities across the country to remain here until the Nepali government is better suited to handle their return, thus helping Nepal government focus on their important recovery efforts," he said.

"Allowing citizens of Nepal who are in Queens and throughout the nation to remain in the US until it is safe to return is the right and decent thing to do," Congresswoman Grac Meng said.
"As Nepal continues to recover, the US and international community must continue to assist the country with needed relief efforts," she added.
The powerful earthquake in Nepal killed nearly 9,000 people, injured 23,000 people and damaged more than 500,000 buildings leaving hundreds of thousands of people jobless.