Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nationals of Somalia

[Rokko]

I was this Immigration related issues meeting and was to told to share this with you all. Please share this with fellow Somali Nationals living in the US who might be interested in this.

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

 

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services

Washington, D.C. 20536 Contact: Office of Public Affairs

July 21, 2003 Phone: (202) 514-2648

 

BCIS Announces Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

for Nationals of Somalia

 

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration (BCIS) today announced a 12-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Somalia until September 17, 2004.

 

The extension of TPS for Somalia is effective September 17, 2003, and will remain in effect until September 17, 2004. Nationals of Somalia who have been granted TPS must re-register for the 12-month extension during the 60-day re-registration period, which begins on July 21, 2003 and will remain in effect until September 19, 2003.

 

Under the extension, those who have already been granted TPS are eligible to live and work in the United States for an additional year and continue to maintain their status. There are approximately 360 nationals of Somalia (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) who are eligible for re-registration.

 

Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the Attorney General to grant TPS to aliens in the United States who are nationals of countries that are subject to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other temporary and extraordinary conditions. On September 16, 1991, the Attorney General designated Somalia under the TPS program based on the ongoing armed conflict there. Since that time, the Attorney General, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State have continuously examined conditions in Somalia and recently found that “the extension is warranted due to the ongoing armed conflict within Somalia that would pose a serious threat to the personal safety of returning nationals of Somalia (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia).”

 

To re-register for the extension, a TPS applicant must submit Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) and Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), as well as two identification photographs (1 1/2" x 1 1/2") to the local BCIS district office. Both forms must be submitted for re-registration. If the applicant is only seeking to re-register for TPS and not seeking an extension of employment authorization, there is no filing fee. However, all applicants seeking an extension of employment authorization until September 17, 2004 must submit a $120 filing fee with Form I-765. Failure to submit the required photographs and filing fees will result in the rejection of the re-registration application.

 

Applicants for an extension of TPS benefits do not need to submit new fingerprints and therefore do not need to submit a $50 fee. Children who are beneficiaries of TPS and who have reached the age of 14, but who were not previously fingerprinted, must pay the $50 fingerprint fee with their application for extension. Applicants may request a fee waiver in accordance with the regulations.

 

More information can be obtained from the BCIS National Customer Service Center toll-free number: 1-800-375-5283. TPS forms are available from the toll-free BCIS Forms line, 1-800-870-3676, or from the BCIS Web site, www.bcis.gov.

 

[ July 31, 2003, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Mursal ]