Today Syrian people in the U.S. received good news in the form of an extension of a program that will allow them to stay in America for another 18 months under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Because of increasingly violent upheavals in Syria, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has extended the existing designation of Syria for TPS for 18 months, from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2015, and redesignated Syria for TPS for 18 months, effective October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2015.
TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of countries designated by the Secretary. During the TPS designation period, TPS beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States and may obtain work authorization so they can hold a job, so long as they continue to meet the requirements of TPS status.
For Syrian nationals who have already been granted TPS, the 60-day re-registration period runs from June 17, 2013 through August 16, 2013. USCIS will issue new Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with a March 31, 2015 expiration date to eligible Syrian TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension.
Syrian people in the U.S. who currently do not have TPS, should submit an application during the 180-day registration period that runs from June 17, 2013 through December 16, 2013. Applicants must demonstrate that they were in the United States on June 17, 2013 and have lived there continuously since that date.
TPS applications that were filed during the original Syria designation that opened on March 29, 2012, and remain pending on June 17, 2013 will be treated as initial applications under the redesignation. Therefore, individuals who have a pending TPS application will not need to file a new application.
If you have any questions regarding the registration process, or would like professional legal assistance in registering, please contact Murray Osorio PLLC to set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Murray Osorio PLLC are Fairfax Immigration Attorneys dedicated to their clients and to their clients’ families. If you have an immigration matter, it’s important that you contact us as soon as possible. An experienced Fairfax Immigration Lawyer could make all the difference- call us at (800) 929-7142, or fill out our contact form.