Ethiopia Designated for Temporary Protected Status
Due to ongoing armed conflict and grave political instability in Ethiopia, the Department of Homeland Security has announced that nationals of Ethiopia currently in the United States may apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) so that they can stay in the United States for the next 18 months. Ethiopian nationals must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States as of October 20, 2022 in order to apply for TPS.
The TPS designation for nationals of Ethiopia comes as a result of conflict-related violence and a humanitarian crisis involving food shortages, flooding, drought, and displacement.
By way of background, the Department of Homeland Security grants TPS to nationals of a country who are in the United States if conditions in that person’s country temporarily prevent him or her from returning safely, or, in certain circumstances, if the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. This is typically due to: 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.
Nationals of Ethiopia eligible for TPS are given work authorization, protection from removal, and (if eligible) travel permission. Individuals arriving in the U.S. after October 20, 2022, are not eligible for TPS under this designation. Information on registering for TPS is available here.
Most recently, USCIS granted an extension of TPS for Venezuelan nationals present in the United States since March 8, 2021, and expanded TPS for Burmese nationals, who are now eligible for TPS if they have been present in the United States since September 25, 2022. USCIS also recently extended Deferred Enforced Departure, a similar humanitarian program, for Liberian nationals who have been continuously present in the United States since May 20, 2017.
This alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further.