U.S. Department of Homeland Security Announces Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Syria

On January 31, 2018, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that an extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Syria was warranted, given that the armed conflict and extraordinary conditions supporting Syria’s original designation for TPS are ongoing. Having reached this determination after discussion with interagency partners, Syria’s TPS designation has been extended for 18 months.

Syrians who currently hold TPS status will be eligible to re-register for an 18-month extension of their status, through September 30, 2019. Prior to the conclusion of this extension, Homeland Security will review conditions in Syria to determine whether its TPS designation should be extended again or terminated.

There are approximately 7,000 Syrian TPS beneficiaries who, under the terms of this extension, may re-register and remain in the United States with work authorization through September 30, 2019.  To be eligible for TPS under Syria’s current designation, individuals must have continuously resided in the United States since August 1, 2016, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since October 1, 2016 (in addition to meeting other eligibility requirements). Anyone who has been in the United States since the time of the previous designation may be eligible to seek other forms of immigration relief.

Further details about this extension for TPS, including information about the re-registration process and employment authorization documents, will appear in a forthcoming Federal Register notice.