Temporary Protection for Ethiopia Extended and Expanded

Due to the ongoing armed conflict and grave political instability in Ethiopia, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the extension and expansion of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) until December 12, 2025. Ethiopian nationals in the United States who currently benefit from TPS can extend their status for an additional 18 months, from June 13, 2024, to December 12, 2025. 

Current TPS beneficiaries from Ethiopia who wish to extend their TPS must re-register in a timely manner during the 60-day window from April 15, 2025, to June 14, 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 Ethiopian TPS beneficiaries through June 12, 2025, 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 April 15, 2024, under the previous designation of TPS. Individuals with pending TPS applications (Form I-821, Application for 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 the previous designation of TPS for Ethiopia, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through December 12, 2025, and issue an EAD valid through the same date. 

Under the expansion of the program (referred to as “redesignation”), Ethiopian nationals or individuals with no nationality who last lived in Ethiopia, who have been living in the U.S. since April 11, 2024, and have continued to be physically present and reside in the U.S. since June 13, 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 April 15, 2024, through December 12, 2025. 

First-time applicants for TPS under the expansion of TPS for Ethiopia must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status during the initial registration period that runs from April 15, 2024, through December 12, 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 December 12, 2025. 

DHS estimates that approximately 2,300 Ethiopian nationals in the US presently benefit from the extension of TPS. Additionally, an estimated 12,800 Ethiopian nationals could benefit from the redesignation of the TPS program. 

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. More information about TPS can be found here.

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 April 11, 2024, are not eligible for TPS under this designation.

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

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