United States | TPS extended, redesignated for Somalia

The Department of Homeland Security will extend and redesignate Somalia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from Sept. 18, 2024, through March 17, 2026.

Key Points:

• The extension will allow currently eligible Somalian TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 17, 2026, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements and re-register during the 60-day re-registration period.
• The redesignation of TPS for Somalia will allow Somalian nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since July 12, 2024, and who have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since Sept. 18, 2024, to re-register or file initial applications. Somalian nationals who entered the United States after July 12, 2024, are not eligible for TPS.
• Eligible F-1 nonimmigrant students of Somalian citizenship can request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status through the TPS designation period.
• More information about registering for TPS as a new or current beneficiary under Somalia’s extension and redesignation — including eligibility criteria, timelines, procedures and instructions for employment authorization document filings — can be found in the Federal Register notice.

Additional Information: DHS determined an 18-month extension and redesignation of Somalia for TPS was warranted because of ongoing armed conflict, widespread insecurity and violence, intense flooding, food insecurity, disease outbreaks and significant barriers to humanitarian aid. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Somalia. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, as of July 19, 2024, do not need to refile.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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