U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has opened the re-registration period for holders of South Sudan Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who want to maintain their status through the extension period. The Secretary of Homeland Security extended the TPS designation for 18 months ending Nov. 2, 2020.

Key points:

  • All South Sudan TPS beneficiaries who want to maintain their status and employment authorization must re-register between now and June 4, 2019.
  • Those applying during the re-registration period for employment authorization documents (EADs) will be issued an EAD with a Nov. 2, 2020 expiration date.
  • To avoid lapses in employment authorization for individuals whose EADs could expire before a new one is issued, USCIS has automatically extended the validity of EADs due to expire May 2, 2019 for 180 days, through Oct. 29, 2019.

Background: South Sudan was originally designated for temporary protected status on Nov. 3, 2011 owing to ongoing armed conflict, and was re-designated for TPS status on Sept. 2, 2014 and again on Jan. 25, 2016. The designation was extended on Sept. 18, 2017, and on March 8, 2019, it was extended again for 18 months, through Nov. 2, 2020.

BAL Analysis: Eligible South Sudan TPS beneficiaries should re-register as early as possible. Employers should be aware of the extension of the designation through Nov. 2, 2020 and the automatic extension of existing EADs through Oct. 29, 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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