DHS to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Sudan

The Department of Homeland Security has said it will terminate Temporary Protected Status for Sudan but will allow extensions of existing Sudan TPS benefits for 12 months to provide for an orderly transition.

Key points:

• Temporary protected status and associated Employment Authorization Documents for Sudan will terminate Nov. 2, 2018.
• Existing Sudan TPS beneficiaries who want to extend their benefits through Nov. 2, 2018 must apply for an extension of TPS and an employment authorization document.
• DHS has not yet said when the re-registration period will open and close. This information is expected to be published in the Federal Register soon.

Background: Sudan was originally designated for TPS in 1997 because of an armed internal conflict and this status has been extended periodically, due in part to ongoing conflict including genocide in Western Sudan’s Darfur region. Sudanese nationals with TPS status totaled 1,039 at the end of 2016.

BAL Analysis: DHS is advising Sudanese nationals to prepare for and arrange their departure from the United States or apply for other types of visas during the transition period. BAL will continue to monitor the Federal Register for information about when the re-registration period to extend TPS benefits will open.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact BerryApplemanLeiden@bal.com.

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