Temporary Protected Status for eligible nationals of Somalia was extended by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. TPS status will be extended for an additional 18 months, effective from September 18, 2015 through March 17, 2017.
TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to individuals who are nationals of a country that has been designated for TPS status. TPS status does not lead to Lawful Permanent Residency (green card), but it does allow beneficiaries to remain in the United States during the designated TPS period. In addition, TPS beneficiaries are given work authorization and may not be removed from the United States. When a countries TPS designation is terminated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, TPS beneficiaries return to the same immigration status that they had before they were granted TPS.
Somalia was designated for TPS status on September 16, 1991 by the Attorney General. See FR 46804 (September 16, 1991). The Secretary of Homeland Security has decided to extend TPS status for Somalia through March 17, 2016 because (1) ongoing armed conflict, and (2) extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent Somali nationals from returning to Somalia in safety-continue to exist, and that permitting eligible Somalia nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is not contrary to the national interest of the United States. See FR 80104 (June 1, 2015).
For persons who already have been granted TPS status for Somalia, the 60 day re-registration period is from June 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015. It is very important that re-registrants apply during this period and not wait until their work authorization cards (EADs) expire.