Key Takeaways:
- The United States Department of Homeland Security has extended and redesigned Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals until September 30, 2025, due to ongoing conflict and unsafe conditions in Syria.
- The TPS extension covers approximately 6,200 current beneficiaries, while the redesignation allows an estimated 2,000 additional Syrian nationals to apply.
- Syrian nationals must re-register within specific time frames to maintain their TPS and employment authorization.
The United States Department of Homeland Security announced a significant update for Syrian nationals residing in the U.S. Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas has declared the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria from April 1, 2024, through to September 30, 2025. This decision comes as a response to the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary conditions in Syria that compromise the safety of individuals returning to the country.
Understanding the Syria TPS Extension
The Syria TPS extension is a crucial measure, as it covers approximately 6,200 current beneficiaries, allowing them to retain their TPS until September 5, 2025, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. This extension reflects the U.S. government’s recognition of the severe conditions in Syria, including large-scale infrastructure destruction, civilian casualties, and human rights violations, which are deemed unsafe for the return of its nationals.
“We recognize the vulnerable status of Syrian nationals already present in the United States who cannot safely return home,” Secretary Mayorkas stated. “We are therefore using the legal tool available to us to provide them with this much-needed humanitarian relief.”
Redesignation of Syria for TPS
With the redesignation of Syria for TPS, an estimated additional 2,000 Syrian nationals, or individuals without nationality who last resided in Syria, are eligible to apply for TPS if they have been continuously residing in the United States since January 25, 2024. This redesignation is pivotal because it not only maintains support for those already under protection but also opens doors for more Syrians who arrived in the U.S. before the aforementioned cutoff date.
What Syrian Nationals Need to Do
Syrians who qualify for the TPS must take note of several important dates:
- The initial registration period for new applicants under the redesignation runs from January 29, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
- Current Syrian TPS beneficiaries are urged to re-register within the 60-day period from January 29, 2024, through March 29, 2024, to maintain their TPS and employment authorization.
Failure to re-register within this time frame may risk losing TPS and the corresponding benefits.
Employment Authorization and Special Student Relief
The Department of Homeland Security is aware of the potential overlap in the expiry of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and has automatically extended the validity of certain EADs issued under Syria’s TPS designation to March 31, 2025. This is an important aspect of the Temporary Protected Status application process as it ensures continued employment eligibility without interruption.
In tandem with the TPS announcement, a Special Student Relief notice was shared for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Syria. This provision enables eligible students to request employment authorization, work more hours during the school session, and carry a reduced course load without jeopardizing their F-1 status.
How to Apply for Syria TPS or EAD
Eligible individuals who do not have TPS can submit their initial Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, within the registration period specified. They may also apply for TPS-related EADs and travel authorization. To request an EAD, participants need to submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with their Form I-821 or separately at a later date.
Those with a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed before January 29, 2024, do not need to refile. If approved, these forms will grant the individual TPS through September 30, 2025, and an EAD valid through the same date.
For detailed eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures, current beneficiaries and new applicants are advised to consult the comprehensive Federal Register notice, which provides the necessary guidelines for re-registration, renewal of EADs, and submitting initial applications under the redesignation.
Final Thoughts on Syria TPS Redesignation
The United States continues to offer sanctuary to those in urgent need of protection. The extension and redesignation of TPS for Syria are a testament to this commitment. Syrian nationals in the U.S. must promptly act on this announcement to secure their status and avail themselves of the humanitarian relief provided.
For further information and assistance, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website serves as an authoritative resource USCIS TPS Page. Always ensure any immigration-related actions are done in accordance with official guidelines and within the specified time frames.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Immigration Terms
1. Temporary Protected Status (TPS): A temporary immigration status granted by the United States government to eligible nationals of certain designated countries facing ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that make it unsafe for the individuals to return to their home countries.
2. Syria TPS Extension: An announcement by the United States Department of Homeland Security to extend the validity of Temporary Protected Status for Syrian nationals residing in the U.S. The extension allows current beneficiaries to retain their TPS until September 5, 2025, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
3. Redesignation of Syria for TPS: The decision to include Syria among the countries designated for Temporary Protected Status. This allows an additional estimated 2,000 Syrian nationals, or individuals without nationality who last resided in Syria, to apply for TPS if they have been continuously residing in the United States since January 25, 2024.
4. Initial Registration Period: The specific period during which eligible individuals who are applying for TPS for the first time can submit their application forms and supporting documents.
5. Re-registration: The process for current Syrian TPS beneficiaries to renew their TPS and employment authorization documents. Current beneficiaries are required to re-register within the given timeframe to maintain their TPS and corresponding benefits.
6. Employment Authorization Document (EAD): A document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that grants temporary work authorization to eligible non-U.S. citizens. EADs issued under Syria’s TPS designation have been automatically extended to March 31, 2025, to ensure continued employment eligibility for TPS beneficiaries.
7. Special Student Relief: A provision that allows eligible F-1 nonimmigrant students from Syria to request employment authorization, work more hours during the school session, and carry a reduced course load without jeopardizing their F-1 student status.
8. Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status: The official application form to be submitted by eligible individuals who are applying for Temporary Protected Status. This form is used to request TPS and is required to be submitted within the registration period specified.
9. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: The official application form to be submitted by individuals seeking a work permit, also known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This form is submitted along with the Form I-821 or separately at a later date.
10. Federal Register Notice: An official publication of the United States federal government that provides public notice of government agencies’ proposed rules, final rules, changes to existing rules, and other notices. The Federal Register notice mentioned in the content contains detailed information about eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures for re-registration, renewal of EADs, and submitting initial applications under the redesignation.
Note: It is crucial to consult official government sources, such as the USCIS website, for the most accurate and up-to-date information on immigration processes and procedures.
So there you have it, the latest update on the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria. This decision is a lifeline for thousands of Syrian nationals residing in the U.S., providing them with much-needed humanitarian relief. If you want to dive deeper into immigration news, guidelines, and assistance, head over to visaverge.com for all the information you need. Stay informed and empowered!
This Article in a Nutshell:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals residing in the U.S. until September 30, 2025. This supports around 6,200 beneficiaries while allowing about 2,000 additional Syrians to apply. Eligible individuals should apply within the registration period and re-register within 60 days to maintain TPS and employment authorization.
