PROVIDENCE — The International Institute of Rhode Island, assisted by the Roger Williams University School of Law, will help Haitian nationals living in the state to apply for Temporary Protected Status, due to the devastating earthquake on Jan. 12.

The federal government estimates that 100,000 to 200,000 Haitian nationals will qualify across the country. The TPS will be in effect until July 21, 2011. That temporary legal status is given by the Department of Homeland Security to citizens of a certain country in cases of emergency.

Those who are granted TPS may live and work in the United States legally for the duration of the status, but TPS does not lead to legal permanent residency. When the 18 months are over, Homeland Security can decide whether to renew the status.

Carl Krueger, the International Institute’s immigration lawyer, said the institute has begun processing applications. “The door is open,” he said, to anyone who wishes to apply, or needs further information.

“Nobody knows how many [Haitian] people in Rhode Island need TPS,” said Krueger. “We don’t know how big that undocumented population is. We’re going to know in a couple of weeks, get a real good idea. Our initial assessment is that it’s probably going to be dozens as opposed to scores.” Krueger said applicants may include people who are here without documentation, or who “are documented in the sense that they are here, have applied for asylum, but not sure they will get it. That person might opt to put the asylum case on hold and apply for TPS.”

Because of the earthquake, the government has also extended TPS to Haitians under final orders of deportation.

Most nationals of Haiti who were living in the U.S. on the date of the earthquake and who apply for TPS before the registration period ends on July 21 are eligible. Haitians who arrived after Jan. 12 are not eligible.

The fee for preparing and filing applications is $75. Applicants should bring proper documentation including passports, ID cards, birth certificates and other significant documents, as well as two passport-size photos.

The application fee that most Haitians will have to pay to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is $470.

Suzanne Harrington-Steppen, coordinator for the pro bono collaborative at RWU’s School of Law, said the collaborative is working with the law school’s new immigration clinic to respond to the legal needs of Haitians in Rhode Island. That includes outreach efforts to local organizations serving the Haitian community, and coordination with the International Institute “to organize a legal response to the TPS announcement.”

The Pro Bono Collaborative partners law students and law firms with community organizations to provide pro bono legal service. The nonprofit International Institute provides services to the immigrant and refugee community of Rhode Island.

For questions, or to schedule an appointment, call the International Institute at (401) 461-5940, or come to the Institute’s Feinstein Center for Citizenship and Immigration Services office at 645 Elmwood Ave. in Providence.

kziner@projo.com