BCIS announced on August 6 that it was extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Liberian nationals effective from October 1, 2003 to October 1, 2004. Nationals of Liberia who have already been granted TPS must reregister for the one-year extension during the sixty-day re-registration period, which began on August 6 and ends October 6, 2003. Only Liberians who have continuously resided and have been continuously present in the U.S. since October 1, 2002 qualify for re-registration. Approximately 2,700 of Liberian nationals in the U.S. qualify for re-registration.

Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant TPS to aliens of the U.S. who are nationals of countries that are subject to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Due to the armed conflict in Liberia, TPS status was designated for Liberian nationals on October 1, 2002. The Secretary of Homeland Security has extended this TPS designation, as requiring the return of Liberian nationals would be a serious threat to their physical safety. When the Secretary terminates Liberia’s designation, the aliens will return to the status they had before receiving TPS.

To re-register for extension, TPS applicants must submit Form I-821 (Application for TPS), Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and two identification photographs to the local BCIS district office. Applicants who are seeking to reregister for TPS only, and not seeking an extension of employment authorization, must still submit Form I-765, but do not have to pay the application fee. All applicants seeking an extension of employment authorization until September 17, 2004 must pay the $120 filing fee.

More information on the extension of TPS for Liberia is provided at: http://www.bcis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/questsans/Liberia_TPSqa_080703.htm.

More information on general TPS is available at:

http://www.bcis.gov/graphics/services/tps_inter.htm.