TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR RWANDANS EXTENDED

Attorney General Janet Reno has determined that Temporary Protected Status ("TPS") for Rwandans will be extended for a 6 month period until 6 December 1996. Applicants must re-register for this status within a 30 day period which began in mid-June. Therefore, it is very important that applicants re-register as quickly as possible. Applicants should be handled on a walk-in basis at their local INS office. Fortunately, the INS has stated that late applicants' cases will be excused on a liberal basis.

According to the INS, current Rwandan TPS registrants who desire an extension must file an application for temporary protected status, Form I-821, without a fee, together with an application for employment authorization, Form I-765 with a fee of .00 (unless a properly documented fee waiver is submitted or the applicant does not request employment authorization). All TPS applications and related applications for employment authorization must continue to be filed at local INS offices at this time.

To qualify for TPS, a Rwandan must have been "continuously physically present" in the United States since 07 June 1994. Late initial registration is permissible under some circumstances.