The Department of Homeland Security recently announced the extension and re-designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status until November 2, 2005.  Nationals of Sudan, or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan, who have already received TPS may re-register for TPS under the 12-month extension.  There are approximately 449 individuals who are eligible for re-registration under the TPS extension for Sudan.  Others may be eligible for TPS for the first time under the re-designation if they have been continuously physically present in and continuously resided in the United States since October 7, 2004.  USCIS estimates that fewer than 1,500 additional nationals of Sudan, or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan, may be eligible for initial registration under the re-designation.

The extension and re-designation of Sudan for TPS is effective November 2, 2004 until November 5, 2005.  Nationals of Sudan, or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan, who are renewing TPS under the extension must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period, which begins October 7, 2004 and ends December 6, 2004.  Individuals who are registering for TPS for the first time must register during the 180-day registration period, which begins on October 7, 2004 and will remain in effect until April 5, 2004.

On November 4, 2997, the Attorney General, who retained authority over TPS designations prior to the creation of the DHS on March 1, 2003, initially designated Sudan for TPS based on an ongoing armed conflict as well as extraordinary and temporary conditions.  The Attorney General subsequently extended and re-designated Sudan for TPS.  Since then, the U.S. Government has examined conditions in Sudan, and the Secretary of DHS has determined that a 12-month extension is warranted because the armed conflict in Sudan continues.

To re-register for TPS under the extension, an applicant must submit the following:  Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) without the filing fee, Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and two identification photographs (full face frontal, passport size) to the local USCIS district office with jurisdiction over his or her place of residence.   All applicants seeking employment authorization must submit a $175 filing fee with Form I-765.  If an applicant does not want work authorization, he or she is required to submit Form-765, without fee, for data collection purposes.  Additionally, all applicants for re-registration age 14 and older must be fingerprinted, and need to include the $70 biometric services fee with their application.

To initially register for TPS under the re-designation an applicant must submit the following:  Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) with the $50 filing fee, Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and two identification photographs (full face frontal, passport size) to the local USCIS district office with jurisdiction over his/her place of residence.  All initial registrants between the ages of 14 and 65 (inclusive) seeking employment authorization must submit a $175 filing gee with Form I-765.  Applicants may request a waiver of the TPS and employment authorization fees in accordance with the regulations.  If an applicant does not want work authorization, he/she is required to submit Form I-765, without fee, for data collection purposes.  Additionally, all applicants for initial registration age 14 and older must be fingerprinted, and thus, need to include the $70 biometric services fee with their application.

Interim Employment Authorization Documents will not be issued to an applicant unless the Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization has been pending with USCIS more than 90 days after all requested initial evidence has been received by USCIS, including collection of the applicant’s fingerprints at an Application Support Center.  Therefore, applicants are encouraged to appear at a Support Center for fingerprints as soon as possible after submission of the TPS registration package to a USCIS district office.

More information can be obtained at the USICS web site at www.uscis.gov.