The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been extended and redesignated for 18 months, from September 18, 2024, to March 17, 2026. DHS also announced work authorization relief for F-1 students from Somalia. Below are highlights of DHS’s actions.

TPS Extension and Redesignation

The 60-day re-registration period for existing beneficiaries begins July 22, 2024, and runs through September 20, 2024. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages those who currently have TPS to timely re-register during the re-registration period and not wait until their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) expire because delaying re-registration could result in gaps in their employment authorization documentation. DHS said that USCIS will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Somalia.

The redesignation of Somalia for TPS allows an estimated 4,300 Somali nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 12, 2024, to file initial applications for TPS if they are otherwise eligible. The extension of TPS for Somalia allows approximately 600 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 17, 2026, if they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements.

DHS said it recognizes that not all re-registrants may receive a new EAD before their current EAD expires. For that reason, DHS is automatically extending through September 17, 2025, the validity of certain EADs previously issued under Somalia’s TPS designation.

Work Authorization Relief for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students From Somalia

DHS is also suspending certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Somalia. These students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course loads while continuing to maintain their F-1 nonimmigrant status.

An F-1 nonimmigrant student must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS to apply for off-campus employment authorization based on severe economic hardship directly resulting from the current crisis in Yemen.

Details:

  • DHS news release (July 19, 2024).
  • USCIS TPS notice, 89 Fed. Reg. 59135 (advance copy) (July 22, 2024).
  • S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement notice on employment authorization for F-1 students from Somalia, 89 Fed. Reg. 59129 (advance copy) (July 22, 2024).