Saturday July 20, 2024
Washington DC (HOL) — The Department of Homeland Security has extended and redesignated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, allowing Somali nationals to stay and work in the United States for an additional 18 months. Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that the extension will last from September 18, 2024, to March 17, 2026, due to ongoing armed conflict, insecurity, severe flooding, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and barriers to humanitarian aid in Somalia.
"This extension ensures that Somalis already in the United States can reside and work here while these deteriorated conditions in Somalia continue," said Mayorkas.
The extension allows approximately 600 current TPS beneficiaries to retain their status through March 17, 2026, provided they meet eligibility requirements. These individuals must re-register between July 22, 2024, and September 20, 2024, to maintain their TPS and employment authorization.
The redesignation also enables an estimated 4,300 additional Somali nationals, or individuals who last habitually resided in Somalia, to apply for TPS. To qualify, they must have been living in the United States since July 12, 2024, and continue to reside in the country.
The corresponding Federal Register notice provides detailed information on the registration process, eligibility criteria, and necessary procedures for re-registering and applying for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
Additionally, a Special Student Relief notice allows eligible F-1 nonimmigrant students from Somalia to request employment authorization, work additional hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while maintaining F-1 status through the TPS designation period.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue processing pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Somalia. Approved applicants will be granted TPS through March 17, 2026, along with corresponding EADs.
Since the issuance of the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation and Interim Final Rule in June, more than 50,000 noncitizens have been removed or returned to over 100 countries. Secretary Mayorkas emphasized the continued enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, stating, "DHS will continue to enforce U.S. laws and will return noncitizens who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States."