Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries. TPS beneficiaries will not be required to leave the United States and may obtain work authorization for the initial TPS period and for any extensions of the designation. TPS does not lead to permanent resident status. When the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) terminates a TPS designation, beneficiaries will return to the same immigration status they had before TPS (unless that status has expired or has been terminated) or to any other status they may have been granted while in TPS.

TPS for Sudan and South Sudan Nationals

On July 18, 2017, ADC filed a petition with the Department of Homeland Security requesting the redesignation and extension of TPS for Sudans and South Sudan. Both Sudan and South Sudan, in accordance with the parameters of 8 U.S.C. §1254a(b)(1)(B)(i)-(ii), face dire humanitarian situations due to environmental disaster – famine and food insecurity, and mass violence. In 2016 alone, as many as 190,000 individuals were displaced by fighting in Darfur. Many still live in limbo and at risk of statelessness. This in addition to the 2.6 million people that remain displaced in the region from the early 2000’s. In February 2017, the Guardian reported that 100,000 people were facing immediate starvation while one million individuals were on the “brink of famine” throughout South Sudan. Due to ongoing conflict in both countries that threatens the safety of civilians throughout their respective states, neither country’s government can guarantee the safety of the return of their nationals at this time.

ADC Sudan and South Sudan Country Conditions Summary

Sudan was originally designated for TPS in November 1997. South Sudan has been TPS designated since September 2014. In January 2016, DHS extended TPS for Sudan and South Sudan with expiration on November 2, 2017.

On September 18, 2017, DHS extended TPS for Sudan nationals for 1 year with TPS for Sudan set to terminate November 2, 2018. Current TPS beneficiaries can register during the 60 day open period from October 11, 2017 to December 11, 2017.

ACT: DEMAND  TPS FOR SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN 

TPS for Syrian Nationals

In November 2014, ADC filed a petition with the Department of Homeland Security requesting the redesignation and extension of TPS protection for Syrian nationals present in the US. ADC has previously submitted TPS requests to DHS in April of 2013 and January of 2012, both of which were granted.

On January 5, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended and redesignated Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals currently in the United States for 18 months, from April 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. The official DHS announcement in the Federal Register can be read here.

In February  2016 ADC met with Leon Rodriquez, the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), to discuss the need for the extension and renewal of TPS for Syria, as well as other issues impacting the Arab American community.

At the meeting, ADC submitted an official petition requesting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend and renew the designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beyond its current September 2016 expiration date. Additionally, ADC sent the TPS petition to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson. The DHS Secretary has the ultimate authority to designate a country for TPS pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1254a if there is an ongoing armed conflict within the state and, due to such conflict, requiring the return of nationals to their home country would pose a serious threat to their personal safety. This decision is made in consultation with the USCIS. In light of current conditions, extending and renewing the designation of Syria for TPS is an obvious step that the United States must take to help the international community address the needs of Syrians who are fleeing the ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Syria.

On August 1, 2017, TPS for Syria was re-designated and re-extended. TPS was re-designated from August 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017. Current employment authorization, dated with September 30, 2016 expiration, is automatically extended until March 31, 2017.

ADC strongly encourages Syrian Nationals eligible for TPS to file for work authorization as soon as possible.

We must #SaveTPS for Syria!

“We left our beloved country not by choice rather by force because of the war zone situations which we were not part of it and most of the Syrians are unable to return at this time. It is not fair for the US government to leave us in the middle of nowhere.”

TPS for Yemeni Nationals

On April 22, 2015, ADC filed a petition with the Department of Homeland Security requesting designation of TPS protection for Yemeni nationals present in the US.

On September 2, 2015 the Department of Homeland Security announced  the approval of the ADC’s request to designate Temporary Protected Status for Yemeni nationals currently in the U.S.  This designation allows eligible Yemeni nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since September 3, 2015, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since September 3, 2015, to be granted TPS. The official DHS announcement can be read here.

Individuals who believe they may qualify for TPS under this designation may apply within the 180-day registration period that begins on September 3, 2015, and ends on March 1, 2016.

The TPS designation for Yemen will be effective for 18 months, from September 3, 2015 through March 3, 2017.

*(First Designation) March 1, 2016 is the deadline for Yemeni Nationals to apply for TPS.

ADC filed a redesignation petition for Yemen in 2016 with the Department of Homeland Security. Following ADC’s petition, Yemen was redesignated until September 3, 2018.
Important Dates:

60 Day Re-registration period for Yemen Nationals who already have TPS: January 4, 2017 through March 6, 2017 (60 days)
180 Day Registration Period for Yemen Nationals who are applying for TPS for the first time: January 4, 2017 through July 3, 2018

Apply for TPS

If you are applying for TPS for the first time, you must complete USCIS Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status), USCIS I-765 Work Authorization Form and submit a filing fee, supporting evidence of identity and nationality, proof of residence, and, if you are age 14 or older, a fee for biometric services.

More information on How to Apply for TPS, Important Dates For Syria TPS, and Important Dates For Yemen TPS can be found on the official UCIS website.

The ADC Legal Department provides assistance with all immigration related matters, including assistance with TPS and asylum claims. For questions about TPS, contact ADC Legal at 202-244-2990, or send an email to legal@adc.org.

Click here to report delays in TPS and/or Asylum application processing to ADC.

Related articles

• DHS Announces Redesignation and Extension of TPS for Syrian Nationals
• ADC Requests DHS to Re-designate Syria for Temporary Protected Status
• ADC Requests DHS to Designate Yemen for Temporary Protected Status

Syria TPS Request