The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that it would extend and re-designate Syria for Temporary Protected States for 18 months, from March 31, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022.

Key Points:

  • The extension will allow currently eligible Syrian TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through Sept. 30, 2022, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Current TPS beneficiaries must apply during a 60-day re-registration period from March 19, 2021, through May 18, 2021.
  • The re-designation of TPS for Syria will allow Syrian nationals who have continuously resided in the U.S. since March 19, 2021, and have been continuously present in the U.S. since March 31, 2021, to file first-time applications, provided they meet other TPS requirements. First-time applicants may apply during a 180-day registration period from March 19, 2021, through Sept. 15, 2021.
  • TPS beneficiaries may apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and travel authorization under the terms approved in a Federal Register notice.

Background: Syria was originally designated for TPS on March 29, 2012, and has been re-designated several times, most recently in August 2019.

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

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