Green Card for some TPS Holders

In this post, we’ll share some fantastic news with you regarding Somalian nationals under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States. The Biden administration has decided to extend Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals now receiving protection under the program for an additional 18 months, from March 18, 2023, through September 17, 2024. A notice has been issued in the Federal Register with instructions on how to apply for TPS under Somalia’s designation. The main advantage of applying for TPS protections is that those who are approved can stay in the country legally, will be protected from deportation (deferred status), and will be able to apply for employment authorization and travel permission by filing Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization and Form I-131 Application for Travel Document with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Somalia’s registration period began on Monday, March 13, 2023, and will finish on May 9, 2023.

Extension of Designation of Somalia for TPS

On January 12, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced an 18-month extension and re-designation of Somalia’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This extension and re-designation will last 18 months, from March 18, 2023, to September 17, 2024.

Secretary Mayorkas made this decision after consultations with government authorities and taking into consideration Somalia’s protracted armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and escalating humanitarian crises. The need to prolong the designation of Somalia’s TPS is due to the country’s continued exposure to terrorism, violent crime, civil unrest, and clashes between clan militias.

The extension of TPS for Somalia allows about 430 existing beneficiaries to keep their status until September 17, 2024, providing they re-register and continue to fulfill TPS eligibility requirements. The redesignation of Somalia for TPS permits an estimated 2,200 additional Somali nationals (or individuals of no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) who have continuously resided in the United States since January 11, 2023, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since March 18, 2023, to file initial applications to obtain TPS if they are otherwise eligible. Only those who previously applied for and were granted TPS under Somalia’s earlier classification are eligible to re-register. To guarantee their TPS and work authorizations, current TPS beneficiaries for Somalia must re-register within the allotted 60 days from March 13, 2023, through May 9, 2023. Searching for TPS Lawyers near me is a means of getting legal assistance for you or your loved ones while appealing an unfavorable decision on your TPS designation.

DHS acknowledges that not all re-registrants will acquire a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before their existing EAD expires and is automatically extending the validity of some EADs previously issued under Somalia’s TPS designation to March 17, 2024. If you need help re-registering your EAD, our TPS Attorney Queens are willing to assist with seeking a work authorization or permission to travel abroad.

Pending Applications under Somalia’s previous TPS Designation

USCIS will continue to process pending applications filed under Somalia’s previous TPS designation. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, as of March 13, 2023, do not need to file either application again. If the USCIS approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed under the former TPS designation for Somalia, the individual will be granted TPS until September 17, 2024, and issue an EAD in effect until the same date.

In accordance with the designation of Somalia, eligible individuals who do not have TPS may apply for it by submitting a Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the initial registration period, which runs from March 13, 2023, through September 17, 2024. In addition, applicants may apply for TPS-related EADs and travel authorization. They may also request an EAD by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, together with their Form I-821 or at a later date separately.

The eligibility requirements, deadlines, and processes required for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs, as well as for new applicants to submit an initial application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD, are laid out in the Federal Register notice. The eligibility requirements, deadlines, and processes required for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs, as well as for new applicants to submit an initial application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD, are laid out in the Federal Register notice. If you were late to file an initial TPS application, a TPS Attorney Queens can help you file your re-registration application in order to remain in the country after your TPS designation ends.

Additional Information

According to DHS, the decision to extend TPS for Somali nationals was taken owing to a longstanding conflict as well as natural disasters and disease outbreaks. The extension and redesignation allow additional qualified Somali citizens to apply for TPS and EADs. More information will be provided by any TPS Lawyers near me as soon as it becomes available.

Insights from Gehi & Associates

Currently, the following countries are designated for TPS: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Gehi & Associates provides proactive, creative, and pragmatic solutions that address today’s most challenging legal issues. While one may not be aware of all the countries that are designated for TPS re-registration, our TPS Attorney Queens are available to assist you with a comprehensive evaluation of your immigration situation and options as well as represent your interests, whether you need help with getting an employment-based visa or bringing a loved one to the U.S.

Contact Us

For more information about applying for TPS, to explore your options for staying in the U.S. after your temporary protected status expires, and to learn more about TPS or other immigration services we can provide for you, contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation.