Yemen Re-designated for Temporary Protected Status

The Secretary of Homeland Security has announced an extension of the Republic of Yemen’s designation for Temporary Protected Service (TPS). This extension will last 18 months, beginning March 4, 2017 and ending September 3, 2018. Also included in the announcement is procedures for both initial registration and reregistration for Yemeni nationals under this extension.

Secretary Jeh Johnson explained the reason for this designation stemming from his assessment of Yemen as containing an ongoing armed conflict which would pose a serious threat to the safety of Yemeni nationals if forced to return. Equally important to his decision was his conclusion that it is not detrimental to the national interest of the United States to grant permission to these nationals to remain in the country on a temporary basis.

There is a 60-day registration period for those who already have been granted TPS under Yemen’s designation. This period begins January 4, 2017 and ends March 6, 2017. Within this time, USCIS will issue new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to qualifying Yemen TPS beneficiaries who both meet the deadline and apply under the extension, which expires September 3, 2018. Given the timeframe for processing applications and acknowledging that not all who file for registration will receive new EAD before their current EAD expire, DHS has automatically extended all EAD issued under Yemen’s TPS designation for 6 months, through September 3, 2017.

Those who do not currently have TPS may submit initial applications at any point between January 4, 2017 and July 3, 2017

For more information, view the full announcement.

 

Temporary Protected Service Extended for Somalia

Effective March 18, 2017 extending through September 18, 2017, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has announced an extension of Temporary Protected Service (TPS) for qualifying nationals of Somalia. TPS beneficiaries wishing to apply for extension must file for re-registration within the 60-day designated period from January 17, 2017 through March 20, 2017.

Eligible TPS Somalia beneficiaries can also apply for new Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), which will carry an expiration date of September 18, 2017, during that 60-day period. Acknowledging the likelihood that some of the re-registrants might not receive their new EAD until after the expiration date of their current EAD, USCIS is automatically extending current EAD with expiration dates of March 17, 2017 for an additional 6 months through September 17, 2017.

In order to re-register, those currently receiving TPS benefits must submit form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Service, but are not required to pay the application fee if re-registering. They must include the biometric service fee, or a fee waiver request if they are over 14 years of age. Additionally, a form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization is required, regardless of whether the re-registrant wishes to acquire an EAD. Only if no EAD is requested is no application fee or fee waiver request is required for the form I-765. To request that their I-765 application fee or biometric service fee be waived due to inability to pay, applicants must submit a written request or form I-912 Request for Waiver, either of which should include appropriate documentation. All TPS applications received without required filing fees or a properly documented fee waiver request form will be rejected.

For more information, view the full announcement.

 

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.

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