Title: DHS Terminates Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia: Key Dates and Re-registration Details
Date: [Insert Current Date Here, e.g., October 26, 2023]
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, a critical decision impacting thousands of Somali nationals currently residing in the United States. Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas confirmed that the designation, which has provided humanitarian relief for decades, will conclude on September 17, 2024.
This significant change follows a comprehensive review by DHS, which determined that the conditions warranting Somalia’s initial TPS designation – primarily civil conflict and environmental disasters – no longer meet the statutory requirements. Somalia was first designated for TPS in 1991 due to its ongoing civil war, a status that has been extended multiple times since.
For current Somali TPS beneficiaries, this termination initiates an 18-month wind-down period. To maintain their Temporary Protected Status until the final termination date of September 17, 2024, existing beneficiaries must re-register during a specific upcoming window. During this re-registration period, individuals can also apply for new Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to ensure they retain permission to work in the U.S. until the final termination date. USCIS will announce the precise re-registration period and application deadlines in a forthcoming Federal Register notice.
It is crucial for affected individuals to understand that failure to re-register within the designated window will result in the loss of their TPS status. After September 17, 2024, all TPS protections for Somalia under this terminated designation will cease. Individuals will then revert to their prior immigration status, if any, or may become subject to removal from the United States if they do not hold other lawful immigration status.
**Crucial Clarification: Distinguishing the Terminated Status from the New TPS Designation**
It is vital to distinguish this termination from a *separate* and *new* TPS designation for Somalia that was announced in August 2023. The new designation provides TPS eligibility for eligible Somali nationals and individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia, who have been continuously residing in the United States since August 14, 2023. This new designation runs until March 17, 2025. This means individuals who meet the criteria for the *new* designation can still apply for or maintain TPS under that separate framework, independent of the termination of the older designation.
All current TPS holders from Somalia are strongly encouraged to seek legal counsel from an immigration attorney and to regularly visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at USCIS.gov/TPS for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding re-registration procedures, application deadlines, and eligibility criteria for both the termination process and the separate new designation. Staying informed and acting promptly are critical steps to navigate these changes effectively.
