The Department of Justice has announced that nationals of Angola will b e te rm ina ted from the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) prog ram . TPS status will end for Angolans on March 29, 2003 . 316 people are expected to b e affected.

The Justice Department found that the situation in Angola had changed. The a rm ed conflict that orig ina lly served as the b asis for the TPS designation no longer exists and Angolans can safely return to their country.

Upon te rm ina tion of TPS status, individuals will revert b ack to the status they had just prior to getting TPS status unless that status has expired or they will revert to any other status they may have gained while registered for TPS. If the individual had no status prior to b eing granted TPS, they are su b ject to removal.

Work authorization for Angolans with TPS expires on March 29, 2003 and will not b e renewed. And anyone remaining b eyond that date who is not in status will b egin accumulating unlawful presence.

The Justice Department memorandum announcing the end of TPS designation notes that Angolans fearing a return to their country can still apply for asylum, withholding of removal or protection under the Torture Convention.