Temporary Protection for Syrians Extended and Expanded

Due to the ongoing civil war and extraordinary humanitarian conditions in Syria, the Department of Homeland Security has announced the extension and redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) until September 30, 2025. Syrian nationals in the United States who currently benefit from TPS will be able to extend their status for an additional 18 months, from April 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. 

Current TPS beneficiaries from Syria who wish to extend their TPS must re-register in a timely manner during the 60-day window from January 29, 2024, to March 29, 2024, in order to maintain their TPS status and authorization to work. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend the employment authorization documents (EADs) of certain Syrian TPS beneficiaries through March 31, 2025, in order to avoid a lapse in employment authorization. Individuals with a current, pending re-registration application are not required to file any further re-registration application at this time.

USCIS will continue to process applications pending as of January 29, 2024, under the previous designation of TPS. Individuals with pending TPS applications (Form I-821, Application Temporary Protected Status) or a related employment authorization application (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization) are not required to file either application again. Therefore, if USCIS approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 under TPS Syria 2024, USCIS will then grant the individual TPS through September 30, 2025, and will issue an EAD also valid through the same date.

Under the expansion of the program (referred to as “redesignation”), Syrian nationals or individuals with no nationality who last lived in Syria, who have been living in the United States since January 25, 2024, and who will have been continuously physically present in the United States from April 1, 2024, will be able to apply for TPS. Redesignation impacts potential first-time applicants and others who are not beneficiaries of TPS. For first-time applicants, the registration period will run from February 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. 

First-time applicants for TPS under the expansion of TPS for Syria must submit Form I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status during the initial registration period that runs from January 29, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Applicants may file Form I-821 online. First-time applicants can also apply for employment authorization by submitting Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization along with their Form I-821, or separately at a later date. Applicants may also file Form I-765 online. Furthermore, individuals can also apply for travel authorization during this window. First-time applicants under the expansion will receive TPS and EADs valid through September 30, 2025.

DHS estimates that approximately 6,200 Syrian nationals in the US presently benefit from the extension of the TPS. Additionally, the redesignation of the program could help an estimated 2,000 Syrian nationals benefit from the TPS. 

By way of background, the US government offers Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to citizens of a country when their homeland experiences persistent armed conflict (like civil war), an environmental catastrophe (such as earthquakes or hurricanes), an epidemic, or other exceptional and transient circumstances. TPS allows nationals of these countries to live and work in the United States temporarily until their home country stabilizes and they are able to return safely. TPS ensures protection from removal for an individual when their home country is in crisis. More information about TPS can be found here.

We will continue to monitor the various humanitarian programs to support displaced Syrian nationals and keep you updated.

The alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact us if you would like to discuss these developments further.