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February 08, 2002 INS Extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Angola WASHINGTON – The Immigration and Naturalization Service announced today that the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for nationals of Angola would be extended for an additional year. The extension of TPS is effective March 29, 2002, and will remain in effect until March 29, 2003. In addition, until March 29, 2002, Angolans can still register under the re-designation. Nationals of Angola who are currently registered under the TPS program must re-register during the 60-day period from February 1, 2002, until April 2, 2002. The extension of TPS will affect approximately 1,000 nationals of Angola. 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 extraordinary and temporary conditions. In the case of Angola, there is an ongoing-armed conflict and, due to such conflict, requiring Angolan nationals to return home would pose a serious threat to their personal safety. To re-register for the extension, a TPS beneficiary 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"). Both forms must be submitted for re-registration. Beneficiaries should send their applications to the district office in their area of residence. TPS class members who already have or do not wish to receive employment authorization still must submit a completed Form I-765, but without the accompanying fee. However, all beneficiaries who seek employment authorization should submit a Form I-765 with the appropriate filing fee. Applicants may request a fee waiver in accordance with the regulations. Applicants for an extension of TPS benefits do not need to submit new fingerprints and, therefore, do not need to submit the fingerprint fee. Children who are beneficiaries of TPS and who have reached the age of 14, but who were not previously fingerprinted, must pay the appropriate fingerprint fee with their application for extension. Attesting in part 1 of the Form I-821 to the continued maintenance of the conditions of eligibility will generally preclude the need for supporting documents or evidence. INS, however, reserves the right to request additional information and/or documentation on a case-by-case basis. Some individuals who did not apply for TPS benefits during the re-designation period last year may be eligible for late initial registration. A late initial registrant must file a complete application package, including supporting documentation and all applicable fees, in accordance with the regulations. In addition to the requirements described above for re-registration under the extension, a late initial registrant must submit the appropriate fee with Form I-821 and, if 14 years of age or older, a fingerprint fee. All forms are available from the toll-free INS Forms line, 1-800-870-3676, or from the INS Web site, www.ins.gov. On February 19, 2002, the fee for fingerprinting will increase to $50.00 and the fee for work authorization will increase to $120.00. The fee for Form I-821 remains $50.00. More information on fee adjustments can also be found on the INS Web Site. http://www.ins.gov/graphics/formsfee/feechart.htm TPS beneficiaries 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 and 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. An application for TPS does not preclude or adversely affect an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit. Angola joins Burundi, El Salvador, Honduras, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sudan as countries currently designated for TPS. – INS – |
Last Modified 02/20/2003