United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that Syrian nationals who want to maintain their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through Sept. 30, 2019, must re-register between now and May 4, 2018.

Key points:

  • Syrian nationals who want to extend their TPS status must re-register for TPS using Form I-821 and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) using Form I-765 within the 60-day period between now and May 4, 2018.
  • Given the short processing time frames and the fact that Syrian nationals with TPS have EADs that will expire on March 31, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security will automatically extend the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Syria for 180 days through Sept. 27, 2018.
  • New EADs with a Sept. 30, 2019 expiration date will only be issued to eligible Syrian TPS beneficiaries who complete the re-registration process before May 4, 2018.

Background: The Department of Homeland Security announced earlier this year that it would extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Syria who qualify for the program. The Trump administration has moved to end TPS designation for a number of countries, but opted to extend it for Syria citing “extraordinary conditions” that support the country’s ongoing TPS designation.

BAL Analysis: Syrian nationals who wish to extend their TPS must re-register before May 4, 2018. The decision to extend TPS for Syrians reflects DHS’s conclusion that Syria remains extremely dangerous. DHS will review conditions in Syria at some point before Sept. 30, 2019, to determine whether TPS should be extended again. 

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

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