Liberians have been redesignated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Somalians have had their TPS status extended by Attorney General Janet Reno. TPS status can be granted by the Attorney General when she finds that the state is experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or certain other extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent nationals or residents of the country from returning in safety. Last month, for example, the Attorney General designated Kosova because of the armed conflict there and Montserrat because of a Volcano making the island uninhabitable.

The estimated 10,000 Liberians in the US now can get TPS until September 28, 1999. There was a short gap between the previous TPS period for Liberians and the new designation and, consequently, the status is being redesignated and not extended. The Attorney General had considered letting the Liberian TPS period end, but protests by Liberians and further findings that the ongoing conflict in Liberia remains a real threat led to the redesignation.

All Liberians seeking TPS should submit to their local INS office the TPS application (Form I-821), an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization and proof of Liberian nationality and presence in the US since September 29, 1998. TPS applicants have until March 29, 1999 to register. The only fee required is a $100 fee for employment authorization. If no employment authorization is sought, then no fee is required (though Form I-765 still must be submitted). The fee may be waived if documentation of inability to pay is submitted (see the article on this subject earlier in this newsletter).

Somalian status has been extended until September 17, 1999. Unlike the Liberians, Somalians need to be either extending previously approved TPS status or must show that they have been in the United States since September 16, 1991 if they do not have TPS status. The registration period runs through October 27th. The registration requirements are the same as noted above for Liberians except that the applicant must prove Somalian, not Liberian, nationality.