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| Photo credit Cate Turton / Department for International Development Used under Creative Commons license |
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced yesterday
that the Secretary of Homeland Security is extending the designation of Somalia
for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months from March 18, 2014 through
September 17, 2015.
The extension allows currently
eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through September 17, 2015, so long as
they continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. The Secretary noted
that there continues to be a substantial disruption of living conditions in
Somalia based upon ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary
conditions in that country that prevent Somalis who have TPS from safely
returning.
Re-registration is limited to
persons who have previously registered for TPS under the designation of Somalia
and whose applications have been granted. Certain nationals of Somalia (or
aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) who have
not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial
registration provisions, if they meet: (1) At least one of the late initial
filing criteria and (2) all TPS eligibility criteria (including continuous
residence in the United States since May 1, 2012, and continuous physical
presence in the United States since September 18, 2012).
For individuals who have
already been granted TPS under the Somalia designation, the 60-day
re-registration period runs from October 31, 2013 through December 30, 2013.
USCIS will issue new EADs with a September 17, 2015 expiration date to eligible
Somali TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this
extension.
See USCIS website here for more information.
