The Secretary of Homeland Security, Mr. Alejandro N. Mayorkas, announced today that Somalia has been extended and redesignated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months starting from September 18, 2024 to March 17, 2026 due to unsafe conditions which prevent Somalians from returning safely.
Secretary Mayorkas has also engaged other agencies in deliberations after which he concluded that the situation necessitated another eighteen months extension and redesignation of TPS because very little has changed since the initial designation. The conflict has continued, giving rise to regional unrest and violence, which has in turn led to civilian suffering or displacement among others. Additionally, Somalia has experienced intense flooding, continued food insecurity, disease outbreaks and significant barriers to humanitarian aid deliveries.
“Armed conflict and widespread insecurity have harmed and displaced civilians in Somalia for years, exacerbated today by the ravages of famine, disease, and extreme weather,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Granting protection through Temporary Protected Status ensures that Somalis already in the United States can reside and work here while these deteriorated conditions in Somalia continue.”
What does the new extension mean for existing beneficiaries?
With this new TPS extension for Somalia, around 600 existing beneficiaries will be able to preserve their TPS until March 17, 2026, provided they meet TPS qualification requirements. During the 60-day re-registration period from July 22, 2024 through September 20, 2024, current TPS beneficiaries must register again in order to extend status and work permits.
The re-designation of Somalia for TPS allows an estimated four thousand three hundred (4,300) additional Somali nationals (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) eligible to apply for initial grants of TPS. They must have lived continually in the U.S. on or before July 12, 2024 (“continuous residence”).
The corresponding Federal Register notice informs both current and new Somali beneficiaries on how to register for this relief. The Federal Register notice also provides information about eligibility criteria; it includes timelines and processes required for continued presence as well as EAD renewal and new applicant submission requirements under redesignation and EAD application procedures.
The Somali Student Relief Notice
This announcement comes complete with a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students, who are nationals of Somalia, or have no nationality but last habitually resided in Somalia; therefore, eligible students can apply for employment authorization and increased work hours while school is in session and reduce their course load while still maintaining their F-1 statuses throughout the period of TPS designation.
The Department of Homeland Security acknowledges that not every re-registrant will receive new Employment Authorization Document before their present EAD expires thus automatically extending the validity of certain previously issued EADs under Somalia’s TPS designation until Sept. 17, 2025.
According to USCIS, pending applications filed under previous TPS designations will continue to be processed. Individuals who had a pending Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) or related Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) as of July 19, 2024 need not file either application again. If a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 submitted under the prior TPS designation for Somalia is approved by USCIS it will grant them TPS through March 17th, 2026 and they will issue an EAD valid through that same date.
For those without TPS, who are eligible, they may submit an initial Form I-821 starting from July 19, 2024 through March 17, 2026. Applicants also may apply for TPS-related EADs and for travel authorization. Applicants can request an EAD by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with their Form I-821, or separately later.
Final notes
Over fifty thousand non-citizens have been removed or returned to over a hundred countries since the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation and Interim Final Rule was issued early June. All irregular migration journeys are very dangerous, they are drastic as there is often loss of life. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue to enforce U.S. laws and return any non-citizens who fail to establish a legal basis for remaining in the United States.
To stay updated and informed, keep an eye out on our news section or visit https://www.state.gov/newsroom/.
