TPS Holder Built a Restaurant Empire Despite No Green Card
You built a restaurant from scratch, survived a pandemic, and took out a $150,000 personal loan — because the government said your immigration status wasn't good enough for federal relief. That is exactly what Bimala Shrestha did. Her story shows how Temporary Protected Status (TPS) can leave immigrants in a legal gray zone even after years of building a life in the US.
Bimala Shrestha arrived in the United States from Nepal in 2008. For about seven years, she worked as a live-in domestic worker on Long Island. She received Temporary Protected Status — a form of humanitarian protection, known as TPS, that lets people from certain countries stay and work legally in the US when it is unsafe to return home. TPS is not a green card. It does not put you on a path to permanent residency on its own. And that gap cost Shrestha during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the federal government denied her a relief loan because she lacked a green card or US citizenship. To keep her Jackson Heights restaurant, Bhanchha Ghar, open, she took out a personal loan of nearly $150,000.
What TPS does — and does not — give you
TPS allows you to live and work in the US legally while your home country is designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It also protects you from deportation during that period. But TPS holders are generally not eligible for most federal public benefits, and access to federal small business loans — like those issued during the pandemic — was blocked for people without a green card or citizenship. Shrestha's experience is not unique. Thousands of TPS holders who own businesses or employ workers faced the same wall. She pushed through anyway. This year, Bhanchha Ghar landed on The New York Times' list of the 100 best restaurants in New York City. On September 13, 2026, the restaurant served nearly 4,000 momo at the 14th annual Momo Crawl in Jackson Heights — a community food festival celebrating Tibetan, Nepali, and Himalayan culture.
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Sonam Yarpel, who was born in Tibet and owns Om Wok restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue, also built his business from the ground up in Jackson Heights. His restaurant was crowned the 2026 Momo Crawl winner after selling 4,092 momo in a single afternoon. Both Shrestha and Yarpel represent a larger community of immigrant entrepreneurs in Queens who operate under immigration statuses that offer protection but not permanence. For them, every year of business is built on a status that can be terminated by a DHS decision.
What to do if you have TPS and run a business
- Check whether you qualify for a green card through another route — such as a family petition (Form I-130) or an employer-sponsored petition — because TPS alone does not lead to permanent residency.
- Keep your TPS renewed on time. Missing a renewal window can cause you to lose work authorization and deportation protection. Watch the DHS website for re-registration periods specific to your country designation.
- If you were denied a federal loan or benefit because of your immigration status, document that denial. Some state and local programs have different eligibility rules and may be open to TPS holders.
- Talk to an immigration lawyer before making major financial decisions — like taking out a large personal loan — so you understand what protections and risks your current status carries.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “How to Apply for Asylum”.
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TPS holders have the right to work and live in the US, but that status is temporary and can be ended by the administration at any time — which makes long-term financial planning genuinely difficult. If you have been in TPS for several years and have a US citizen or permanent resident family member, you may have an overlooked path to a green card through Form I-130 (a family petition) combined with Form I-485 (the application to adjust status from inside the US). Do not assume TPS is your only option — consult an immigration attorney to map out every available route to permanent status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TPS lead to a green card?
Not automatically. TPS gives you the right to stay and work in the US while your home country holds a DHS designation, but it does not put you on a direct path to permanent residency. You need a separate qualifying basis — such as a family petition or employer sponsorship — to apply for a green card.
Can TPS holders get federal small business loans?
Generally, no. Most federal small business loan programs require a green card or US citizenship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many TPS holders were denied relief loans for this reason. Some state and city programs have broader eligibility, so check local options.
What happens if I miss my TPS renewal deadline?
If you miss the re-registration window, you can lose your work authorization and your protection from deportation. DHS sets specific re-registration periods for each country designation. Check the USCIS website regularly and file your renewal as early as the window opens.
Can the government end TPS for my country?
Yes. The administration can terminate a country's TPS designation, which would end protection for everyone from that country. If that happens, you would need another valid immigration status to remain in the US legally. This is why immigration lawyers recommend exploring other options — like a family-based green card — while you still have TPS.