Temporary Protected Status for Citizens of Syria Extended Until Sep 30, 2022
The Department of Homeland Security has extended Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) for nationals of Syria for a period of eighteen months until September 30, 2022. TPS designation for Syria was scheduled to end on March 31, 2021.
As a result, current Syrian TPS beneficiaries may re-register for an extension of their TPS status and remain in the U.S. with work authorization through September 30, 2022. Approximately 8,500 Syrians temporarily residing in the U.S. will benefit from this extension.
For employers of TPS beneficiaries of Syria, DHS will soon issue a Federal Register Notice that will announce instructions for TPS-related employment authorization.
TPS beneficiaries must continue to meet all individual requirements for TPS eligibility and maintain status. These requirements can be found here. Eligibility for TPS under Syria’s current designation includes a requirement that individuals have had continuous residence in the U.S. since August 1, 2016. DHS will make the next decision to extend or terminate TPS for Syria on or before July 31, 2022.
By way of background, the Department of Homeland Security grants TPS to nationals of a country where conditions in that country temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or, in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States.
DHS grants TPS to nationals of a country if the following temporary conditions exist in their home country: 1) ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war); 2) an environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic; or 3) other extraordinary and temporary conditions.
TPS beneficiaries are given work authorization, protected from removal, and may obtain travel permission.
Nationals of the following countries currently benefit from TPS:
This alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further.