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August 9, 2002 INS Extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nationals of Somalia WASHINGTON On July 26, 2002, the Immigration and Naturalization Service announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Somalia for an additional year until September 17, 2003. The extension of TPS for Somalia is effective September 17, 2002, and will remain in effect until September 17, 2003. Nationals of Somalia who are currently registered under the TPS program must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period, which began on July 26, 2002, and will remain in effect until September 24, 2002. Under the extension, those who already have TPS are eligible to live and work in the United States for an additional year and continue to maintain their status. There are approximately 250 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 armed conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary conditions. On September 17, 1991, the Attorney General designated Somalia under the TPS program. Since that time, the Attorney General and Department of State have continuously examined conditions in Somalia and recently found that open conflict remains a fact in southern Somalia, where numerous actors compete for land and power. To re-register for the extension until September 17, 2002, a TPS applicant must submit Form I-821 and Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), as well as two identification photographs (1 1/2" x 1 1/2") to the local INS district office in the jurisdiction of the re-registrant. Both forms must be submitted for re-registration. If the applicant is only seeking to re-register for TPS and not seeking an EAD extension, there is no filing fee. However, all applicants seeking an extension of employment authorization until September 17, 2002 must submit a $120 filing fee with Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). 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. These forms are available from the toll-free INS Forms line, 1-800-870-3676, or from the INS Web site, http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/index.htm. TPS registrants who need to travel outside the United States during the coming year must receive advance parole from their local INS office prior to departing the United States. Failure to do so may jeopardize their ability to return to the United States. Advance parole allows an individual to travel abroad and return to the United States. Advance parole is issued on a case-by-case basis. Individuals who are granted TPS may apply for advance parole by filing Form I-131 at their local INS district office. For more information on this TPS extension please see the notice published in the Federal Register at 67 FR 48950-48952. INS |
Last Modified 02/20/2003