Secretary of Homeland Security Announces Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen has decided that an extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Yemen is warranted after reviewing conditions in the country which initially prompted the designation. Secretary Nielsen found the continuing armed conflict in the country and the extraordinary and temporary conditions supporting the designation persist, and thus she decided to extend Yemen’s TPS designation for 18 months through March 3, 2020. Before this 18-month extension period ends, Secretary Nielsen will assess the conditions existing in the country to determine whether the TPS designation should be extended further or terminated. This decision will affect approximately 1,250 TPS beneficiaries from Yemen, who are permitted to re-register for TPS and remain in the United States with work authorization through March 3, 2020. Eligibility for TPS is dependent upon the individuals’ continuous residence in the United States since January 4, 2017 and maintained continuous physical presence in the United States since March 4, 2017.
For more information, view the DHS announcement.
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Department of Homeland Security Announces Visa Sanctions for Burma and Laos
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in conjunction with the State Department, imposed visa sanctions on Burma and Laos, justifying the implementation by claiming the countries have not cooperated with the Department, refusing to accept nationals who have been ordered removed from the United States. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen claimed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the governments of Burma and Laos either declined to accept or unreasonably delayed accepting their nationals who were ordered to be removed. Secretary Pompeo subsequently ordered the implementation of the visa restrictions by consular officers in Burma and Laos on specific visa applicant categories. It is possible that, without a response by Laotian and Burmese governments which Secretary Nielsen deems appropriate, these sanctions may remain in place indefinitely and could widen in scope.
The specific effective dates for the sanctions are:
BURMA: Beginning July 9, 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, Burma has discontinued the issuance of all B1 and B2 nonimmigrant visas for current officials at the Director General level and above from the Burmese Ministries of Labor, Immigration, and Population (MOLIP) and Home Affairs (MOHA), and their immediate family members, with limited exceptions.
LAOS: Beginning July 9, 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane, Laos, has discontinued the issuance of all B1, B2, and B1/B2 nonimmigrant visas for current officials at the Director General level and above from the Lao Ministry of Public Security (MPS) as well as their immediate families; and all A3 and G5 nonimmigrant visas to individuals employed by Lao government officials, with limited exceptions
For more information, view the DHS press release.
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Department of Homeland Security Announces 18-Month Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Somalia
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen announced the extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for the country of Somalia, after careful examination indicated that the conditions which initially warranted the designation continue to persist. Secretary Nielsen determined that the armed conflict which continues to exist and the extraordinary and temporary conditions both support the continued existence of the TPS designation, therefore she extended Somalia’s TPS designation for 18 months. The approximately 500 current TPS beneficiaries from Somalia will be eligible to re-register for extension of their status and remain in the country with work authorization through March 17, 2020. Before the 18-month extension period has concluded, Secretary Nielsen will assess the conditions in Somalia to determine whether the designation should be extended or terminated.
For more information, view the DHS announcement.
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